IAA Foundation awards grants for classrooms

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom is a go-to resource for teachers wanting to help students grow connections to agriculture.

Local programs recently received funding to continue classroom lessons thanks to IAA Foundation grants.

Eighty ag literacy coalitions serving 89 Illinois counties were awarded $668,150 in grant dollars which can be used for materials, training, educational lessons and activities taking place during the 2025-2026 school year.

“Providing these grants ensures teachers have a local connection and access to engaging resources to integrate accurate agricultural content into their classrooms,” said Kevin Daugherty, IAITC education director.

Last school year, 643,958 students and 36,335 teachers engaged in ag literacy lessons through IAITC. County AITC programs presented 31,233 individual programs throughout the state, an average of 390 per coalition.

Classroom presentations, farm field trips and agriculture expos add a new dimension to existing curricular standards.

County coalition grants are made possible through funding partner gifts to the IAA Foundation and the generosity of individuals who support IAITC.

Operating as the charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau, the IAA Foundation raises funds for the IAITC program each year and, in addition to county grants, provides funding for Ag Mags, teacher grants, Summer Ag Academies and more.

“Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom is a true partnership,” said Susan Moore, IAA Foundation director.

“From committed funding groups, employment agencies for ag literacy coordinators, in-kind services, to every volunteer and each dollar donated, we are Illinois agriculture unified in a common goal to enhance ag literacy and aid in early discovery of connections to agriculture. Our partners are committed to making ag literacy a priority, and we are grateful for that.”

Partner organizations of IAITC include Illinois Farm Bureau, Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education, University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Soybean Association, Midwest Dairy Association, Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

In addition, annual donors include agribusiness partners and individuals with an interest in supporting the future of agriculture. For information on how individuals can contribute, or to view a listing of all major donors, visit www.iaafoundation.org.

For information on IAITC, visit www.agintheclassroom.org.