GFB News Magazine

GFB awards $6,000 in grants for ag classroom projects

Posted on November 12, 2025 6:50 PM

Georgia Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program has awarded $500 grants to 12 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 hydroponics, 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 techniques like hydroponics, these 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:

Carroll: Christina Flores/Providence Elementary

Clarke: Jerry Taylor/Prince Avenue Christian

Effingham: Kristian Jerome/Springfield Elementary

Habersham: Lauren Bonner/Level Grove Elementary

Hall: Jessica Baker/Friendship Elementary

Henry: Mary Allen/Unity Grove Elementary

Henry: Hannah Bowden/Unity Grove Elementary

Monroe: Kera Davis/Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary

Oglethorpe: Satilla Mathews/Oglethorpe Children’s Academy

Putnam: Amy Stanford/Putnam Co. Elementary

Tattnall: Kellie Aldridge/North Tattnall Elementary

Wayne: Erica Madray /James E. Bacon Elementary 

Contact Caroline Waldrep Leonhard at 478-474-0679, ext. 5 or cwleonhard@gfb.org for more information about GFB’s Ag in the Classroom program. Contact your county Farm Bureau if you’d like to volunteer with its AITC program.