Time is almost up for area farmers to nominate their favorite schools or school districts for an America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education grant.
The deadline is Monday and school administrators will have until April 30 to complete the application if accepted into the program.
The Monsanto Fund —a nonprofit organization advocating farming communities — is distributing $2.3 million across 39 states. North Carolina public schools are eligible for up to $75,000 this year, with either $25,000 or $10,000 grant awards for education.
Last year, systems in North Carolina were awarded three grants totaling $30,000: Perquimans County Schools, Rowan-Salisbury School System and West Craven High School, which used its $10,000 to revamp a campus greenhouse.
“I think one of the most exiting things with Farmers Grow Rural Education is seeing schools being able to establish greenhouses or update science labs,” said Kristin DeSutter, a public relations association for Monsanto. “These are experiences they may not have had otherwise.”
The awarded grants must be used towards math and science projects, which DeSutter said agricultural-based education often falls into.
For farmers to be eligible for nominations, they must own 250 acres or more of cropland.
Once the farmers do their part, it’s up to the school administration to finish the rest to secure the grant. Awards will be based on merit, need and the community support indicated in completed applications.
The nomination process has been opened since February, DeSutter said.
“I think it’s a really neat way for farmers to show support in their local community,” she said. “So often, it seems that farmers are already leaders in their communities.”
Cynthia Faulkner, Banks Elementary School principal, married into a farming family. She was selected as a member of the grant’s advisory council of 30 people.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to see how agriculture is making an impact on education,” she said.
Faulkner is representing North Carolina on the council and will judge other states’ grant applications.
“It’s the community helping the school,” she said of the Grow Rural Education grant. “That’s what our school system needs: everyone to rally around our students.”
The program is designed for USDA-appointed Crop Reporting Districts around the country.
DeSutter grew up on a farm and said she’s seen witnessed how rural schools can go unnoticed.
“Education is just so vital for our country’s future,” she said. “Sometimes I feel that rural schools can get left behind and overlooked a little bit.”
Farmer’s Grow Rural Education can boost educational programs in these areas, especially with the agriculture including more math and science than in past years.
“If we don’t prepare our students now, they aren’t going to be ready in the future,” said Faulkner.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Grant Program
Nominations will be accepted until April 15
School administrators should complete application by April 30
North Carolina Public Schools are eligible to receive up to $75,000
Eligible farmers can nominate their favorite school at growruraleducation.com or 877-267-3332