Across the US, school districts are working to incorporate common core state standards and hands-on learning opportunities into their math and science curriculum.  These new opportunities are designed to provide real world experiences that help grow the next generation by preparing them for success in college and in their careers. Now in its third year, the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, is once again gearing up to help rural school districts by investing over $2.3 million to strengthen math and science education in rural communities.

FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR: The Monsanto Fund is again giving Iowa farmers the opportunity to enhance math and science programs in local schools. From now until April 6, 2014 you can nominate a public school district to compete for a merit-based grant of up to $25,000. Administrators of nominated school districts may submit grant applications through April 21. This year the number of eligible counties has expanded to 1,289 across 39 states.

Between now and April 6, 2014, farmers have the opportunity to nominate their local public school district to compete for a grant of either $10,000 or $25,000. Administrators from nominated school districts can then submit grant applications for either amount, through April 21, 2014 to enhance their math and/or science programs. "We believe that growing the next generation begins with a strong foundation in math and science," says Michelle Insco, Monsanto Fund program officer. "This opportunity for success begins in the classroom."

Farmers can nominate their local school districts for up to $25,000 in grants

The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to partner with farmers to support rural communities. America's Farmers Grow Rural Education launched in 2012 after a successful pilot in Minnesota and Illinois. The program has since helped more than 400 school districts improve math and science education across 39 states.

School districts that apply for a $10,000 grant compete against other school districts in the same USDA-appointed Crop Reporting District. CRDs with five or fewer eligible school districts will compete against each other for a single $10,000 grant. School districts that apply for a $25,000 grant will compete against schools located in the same state or designated region. Winners will be announced in August 2014.~~~PAGE_BREAK_HERE~~~

Monsanto Fund grants will be judged based on merit, need and community support. The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of 30 farmer leaders from across the country, will select the winning grant applications.  Advisory Council members were selected based on their passion for agriculture and education, as well as experience in rural school districts.

You can keep rural schools growing through the "America's Farmers Grow Rural Education" program

In 2013, more than 73,000 farmers demonstrated their support for education by nominating 3,851 school districts, resulting in $2.3 million in grants to 181 recipients. This year, the number of eligible counties has expanded from 1,271 to 1,289.  For more information about the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program and to view the official rules, a list of eligible states, counties and CRDs, visit the Grow Rural Education website.

About the Monsanto Fund: The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund online.

In 2013, the following Iowa school districts received a total of $165,000 to enhance math and science curriculums:

Alburnett Comm. School District ($10,000)

Boyden-Hull Comm. School District ($25,000)

CAL Community School District ($10,000)

Forest City Comm. School District ($10,000)

Moulton-Udell Comm. School District ($10,000)

Newell-Fonda Comm. School District ($10,000)

Riceville Comm. School District ($10,000)

Schaller-Crestland Community School District ($10,000)

Springville Comm. School District ($10,000)

Washington Community School District ($10,000)

West Lyon Community School District ($25,000)

Western Dubuque Comm. School District ($25,000)

To view a list of all the winning school districts from previous years and for more information visit the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education website.