2008 Excellence in Teaching Grant

What is the Excellence in Teaching Grant?

Agriculture is an important part of everyone’s life. Clothing, food, fuel, housing, medicine and much more are rooted in agriculture. Agriculture has no subject matter boundaries and can be a part of social studies, language arts, science, math, environmental education, art, music or in a combination of areas that effectively integrate key agricultural principles. The Excellence in Teaching Grant is awarded to exemplary teachers who integrate agriculture into their classroom lessons and curriculum.  

Who Is Eligible?

Kansas certified educators of Grades K-6 who are integrating agriculture into their classroom lessons. Teachers who have received a grant from the KFB Foundation for Agriculture within the past two years are not eligible. 

What is the grant?

Five grant winners will receive up to $400 to be used to purchase supplies related to agricultural lessons or projects including but not limited to: garden equipment, materials for hands-on activities, literature books and lab supplies. Grants will be presented by one or more of the following representatives: the Director or Assistant Director of the KFB Foundation for Agriculture, the District Administrator and a member of the County Farm Bureau board. 

What Are The Criteria For Selection?

The project must be creative and interesting to students and help them become more knowledgeable about the food, fuel and/or fiber system in the agriculture industry. Successful projects will:

*      Highlight creative strategies for integrating information, activities and resources about agriculture into core subject areas including science, social studies, math, and language arts

*      Correlate lessons and activities to Learning Standards

*      Where possible, use local agriculture-related resources (K-State Extension, Farm Bureau, Agricultural Cooperatives, etc.)

*      Demonstrate a need for the project within the school community 

How Do I Apply?

Complete an entry form and include the information requested on a separate sheet in the order listed in the instructions.

A printable copy of the Teaching Grant description can be downloaded here

A printable copy of the Teaching Grant application can be downloaded here

Applications can be mailed or submitted via email. 

All entries must be post marked by June 30, 2008 for the school semester beginning in the Fall 2008. All applicants will be notified of the status of their grant application within four weeks of the funding deadlines. One-half of the amount funded will be provided to start the project. The balance of the grant is payable upon submission of receipts and a final project report. 

For additional information

Contact John Shostak at 785-587-6608 or shostakj@kfb.org.