Ogle and Carroll Counties Secure IAA Foundation Grants for Ag Education

The IAA Foundation has awarded significant funding to enhance agricultural education in Ogle and Carroll counties, Illinois. This initiative aims to support classroom lessons through grants totaling $668,150, distributed among 80 agricultural literacy coalitions across 89 counties in the state. The funding is designated for educational materials, teacher training, and engaging activities during the 2025-2026 school year.

According to Kevin Daugherty, the education director of Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC), these grants are crucial for ensuring that teachers have both local connections and access to relevant resources. “Providing these grants ensures teachers have a local connection and access to engaging resources to integrate accurate agricultural content into their classrooms,” Daugherty stated.

Last academic year, the IAITC program reached an impressive 643,958 students and 36,335 teachers, facilitating 31,233 individual programs statewide. This translates to an average of 390 programs per coalition, showcasing the widespread impact of agricultural literacy initiatives.

In Ogle and Carroll counties specifically, over 26,203 student contacts were recorded through 1,298 programs. Activities ranged from hands-on experiences like making butter and kneading bread to studying soil and enjoying pumpkin pie. These interactive programs enrich the existing curriculum and foster a deeper understanding of agriculture among students.

The county coalition grants are made possible by contributions from various funding partners, including individual donors who support the mission of the IAA Foundation. Operating as the philanthropic wing of the Illinois Farm Bureau, the IAA Foundation annually raises funds for IAITC, which also includes support for Ag Mags, teacher grants, and Summer Ag Academies.

Susan Moore, director of the IAA Foundation, emphasized the collaborative nature of these efforts: “Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom is a true partnership. From committed funding groups to volunteers, we are unified in a common goal to enhance ag literacy and aid in early discovery of connections to agriculture.”

The IAITC’s partner organizations include the Illinois Farm Bureau, University of Illinois Extension, and various agricultural associations, all of which play a vital role in advancing agricultural education.

For those interested in contributing to this cause or learning more about major donors, further information is available at www.iaafoundation.org. To explore the programs and resources offered by IAITC, visit www.agintheclassroom.org.