Securing increased funding for math and science education can be challenging for many rural school districts. America's Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, helps school districts fund STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) projects that prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven workforce. Through the program, grants of $10,000 and $25,000 are awarded to rural public school districts across the U.S. to enhance math and science curriculum.

Ohio farmers can nominate school districts to receive grants

Since 2011, Grow Rural Education has partnered with farmers to award over $9 million to more than 650 school districts to enhance opportunities available to students in rural America. Ohio school districts have received $430,000 in grants since the program's inception.

A grant received in 2014 by Eastern Local Schools in Winchester, demonstrates how farmer nominations paired with outstanding school applications can positively impact schools, their students and the community through enhanced math and science curriculum.

Eastern Local Schools used their $10,000 grant to purchase Chromebooks and a portable cart, which enabled science teachers to schedule more labs using the technology and gives students increased access to computers for research, virtual labs, benchmark testing and data collection.  The district attributes higher student achievement in science classes and on standardized tests to the increased access to the technology and labs. Additionally, student interest in science has been sparked because they have access to new, timely material. .

The 2016 America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program is open for farmer nominations. Between now and April 1, farmers in eligible counties can nominate a public school district in their community to apply for a $10,000 or $25,000 grant. Nominated school districts can then submit grant applications through April 15, to compete for the funds to strengthen and expand their math or science programs. The grants support a variety of initiatives, including new technology for hands-on learning, greenhouses and outdoor classroom instruction, scientific laboratory advancements and curriculum development. 

All school applications are evaluated based on merit, need and community support. The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of farmers from across the U.S., will select the winning grant applications, which will be announced in August.

Grow Rural Education is part of the America's Farmers initiative. Since 2010, the America's Farmers campaign and programs have advocated on behalf of farmers and their efforts to meet society's needs through agriculture. Learn more at AmericasFarmers.com.