Ag News

GFB awards $5,000 in grants for ag classroom projects

Georgia Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program has awarded $500 grants to 10 elementary school teachers to help them fund innovative agricultural projects. These teachers, who maintain close ties with their county Farm Bureaus, were selected for their commitment to teaching students about agriculture in fun, hands-on ways.

The grants will support projects focused on composting, school gardens, and farm to table nutrition, giving students a chance to actively engage with farming, sustainability and how food systems work.                                                     

These projects not only educate but also foster curiosity and a deeper appreciation for agriculture, which contributed more than $91.4 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2023 and provided more than 381,200 jobs statewide according to the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.                                  

Despite its importance, many students do not fully grasp how agriculture impacts their daily lives. These hands-on projects will teach students how agriculture affects everything from the food they eat to the natural resources they depend on.

Students will also explore environmental responsibility and sustainability. Whether it’s learning

to reduce food waste through composting or discovering modern growing techniquesthese projects will provide students with a deeper understanding of how agriculture can help address environmental challenges. 

The school gardens, for example, will allow students to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs while

also teaching them about pollinators, local food production, and the nutritional benefits of fresh produce. These activities help develop life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and environmental stewardship.           

Georgia Farm Bureau is excited to support these teachers in making agriculture a relevant and engaging part of their students’ curriculum. By funding these projects, Farm Bureau hopes to inspire a lifelong interest in agriculture and encourage students to become informed citizens who understand the vital role agriculture plays in their communities.                             

Congratulations to the following teachers in the following counties for their dedication to bringing agriculture into their classrooms: 

• Banks: Julie Kelly/Banks County Primary School

• Berrien: Camille Camon/Berrien Elementary School

• Cherokee: Kate Henriques/Carmel Elementary School

• Columbia: Rhonda McMullen/Euchee Creek Elementary School

• Crawford: Kristen O’Neal/Crawford County Elementary School

• Dawson: Renee Rogers/Blacks’ Mill Elementary School

• Lanier: Rebecca Pylant/Irwin County Elementary School

• Morgan: Jennifer Harper/Putnam County Elementary School

• No. Fulton: Tara Oakes/Abbotts Hill Elementary School

• Tift: Myra Smith/Len Lastinger Elementary School

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