By Andi Anderson
The Michigan FFA Foundation has recently bestowed $22,500 in grant funding upon nine schools, marking another stride in advancing agricultural education.
The Glassbrook Grant Selection Task Force, a subset of the Michigan FFA Foundation board of directors, meticulously reviewed 15 applications. The evaluation criteria included alignment with Glassbrook Endowment goals, innovation, organizational clarity, program impact, and project planning.
These Glassbrook Grants, awarded annually, aim to bolster hands-on education in agriculture, food, and natural resources. The next application deadline is set for December 1, 2024.
Alex Schnabelrauch, the Executive Director of the Michigan FFA Foundation, emphasized the grants' impact, stating, "Glassbrook grants have provided support to schools throughout Michigan for three decades, enhancing educators’ ability to bring agriculture, food, and natural resources curriculum to life for kindergarten through 12th-grade students."
The selected projects for 2024, spanning diverse aspects of agricultural education, will impact over 1,020 students across Michigan. Some notable projects include Realityworks: Hands-on Labs and Learning in Caledonia, Poultry and Science Technology in Coopersville, and Greenhouse Hydroponics in Mason.
Grant funds can be utilized for various purposes, such as field trips, curriculum development, educational materials, and enhancing facilities like laboratories, greenhouses, and livestock facilities. Schools are expected to complete their projects within three years of the award date.
The Michigan FFA Foundation's ongoing commitment to advancing agricultural education underscores the importance of hands-on experiences in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the state's significant agricultural industry.
Categories: Michigan, Education