The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) program is a valuable resource for teaching children about agriculture. Recently, the program received funding through IAA Foundation grants to support classroom lessons in several counties, including Clay, Effingham, Jasper, Marion, Richland, and Wayne Counties.
A total of 81 coalitions across 88 Illinois counties were awarded $647,000 in grants, which will be used for educational materials, training, lessons, and activities during the 2024-2025 school year. Last year, IAITC engaged 634,314 students and 48,380 teachers in agricultural literacy, delivering 32,232 programs statewide, averaging 400 programs per coalition. These initiatives include classroom presentations, farm field trips, and agriculture expos that enhance existing curricula.
The county coalition grants are funded by the IAA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau. The Foundation not only supports county grants but also funds Ag Mags, teacher grants, and Summer Ag Academies, among other initiatives.
Partner organizations involved in IAITC include various agricultural associations and educational institutions, such as the Illinois Farm Bureau, University of Illinois Extension, and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Additionally, annual donations from agribusiness partners and individuals help sustain the program. For more information on contributing or to see a list of major donors, visit www.iaafoundation.org.
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