top of page

Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation Grants


 

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – 1/27/2025 – The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) has awarded nearly 120 grants to schools across Iowa to bolster the integration of agriculture into classroom instruction and after-school programs with an academic focus.

 

The Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Teacher Supplement Grants are designed to help teachers initiate new projects and/or expand upon existing programs that promote agriculture literacy for students. Grants can be used to fund innovative lessons, activities, classroom resources, guest speakers, outreach programs, field trips and other projects. Teachers received up to $200 to fund their projects.

 

Grant recipient, Ashley Langel of Gehlen Catholic in LeMars, Iowa, said, “I want to eventually have a large-scale greenhouse, so this grant will help fund a mini-scaled greenhouse with supplies. Students will test soil and water nutrients, measure plant growth, and eventually grow food for our cafeteria. In my Biology and AgScience classes, we can use a garden to help students learn about plant structure, function, and reproduction.”

 

Kelly Foss, IALF Executive Director, highlighted the impressive quality and variety of awarded projects, noting the strong emphasis on integrating agriculture into subjects like science, social studies, math, language arts, nutrition, and career and technical education curriculum. “Through this ag literacy initiative teachers are empowered, and challenged, to create experiences that will reinforce core curriculum learning and inspire their students, who are the next generation of agriculture advocates and innovators, to recognize the importance of agriculture and visualize their role in it.”

 

Some of the innovative projects launching this spring include farm robotics, culinary and nutrition programs, crop and animal lifecycles, tree propagation, pollinators, ecosystems, renewable energy, aquaponics, farm-to-fork projects, dairy field trips, egg hatching, and agricultural history tours.

 

The grants are made possible through organizations and individuals, including the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF). Ronnette Vondrak, IFBF’s Community Relations manager, emphasized the importance of agricultural literacy in recognizing agriculture’s value and impact. “The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is proud to support teachers in their classrooms. Agricultural literacy is crucial in fostering a deeper appreciation of agriculture’s influence, both in Iowa and globally.”

 

With this funding, students at Union Middle and High School in La Porte City, Iowa, will soon embark on an educational field trip to Hansen’s Dairy. This immersive experience will provide students with practical insights into various aspects of agriculture, including agronomy, animal husbandry, milk production and processing, the calving-to-milk cycle, and marketing.

 

During their visit to Hansen’s Dairy, students will explore the journey of dairy products from farm to table, deepening their understanding of how these essential foods are produced and processed.

 

“This field trip offers a unique opportunity for our students to see firsthand how dairy farms operate and to make meaningful connections between what they learn in the classroom and real-world agriculture,” said

 

Dawn Stoakes, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Union Middle and High School.

 

After the field trip, students will bring their newfound knowledge back to the classroom, where they’ll engage in activities such as making cheese and butter, exploring the nutritional benefits of dairy, and sampling a variety of dairy products. These activities will allow students to apply what they’ve learned in a fun and interactive way while gaining a deeper appreciation for the agricultural industry.

 

For more information, visit www.iowaagliteracy.org

 

Below is a list of award recipients (in alphabetical order by city name):


Tess Cochran, East Union High School, Afton

Susan Stover, East Union CSD, Afton

Bradi Sievers, Albert City - Truesdale Elementary, Albert City

Julie Sievers, Newell-Fonda Schools, Albert City

Amy Welp, Bertha Godfrey Elementary, Algona

Amber Moorberg, Willowbrook Elementary, Altoona

Lori Rawson, Southeast Polk, Homeschool Assistance Program, Altoona

Daniell McEvoy, Meeker Elementary, Ames

Kendra Haugen, Richard O. Jacobson Elementary, Belmond

Amy Madsen, Carroll Middle School, Carroll

Tanja Jensen, Clarion Elementary, Clarion

Karen Moeller, Prince of Peace Catholic School, Clinton

Christy Ayers, Corning Elementary, Corning

Laurie Bancroft, Thomas Jefferson School, Council Bluffs

Kellie Hinsley, Lewis & Clark Elementary, Council Bluffs

Brenda Irwin, Saint Albert Catholic School, Council Bluffs

Julie Haskovec, Notre Dame Catholic School, Cresco

Chelsey Boldt, Hayes Elementary School, Davenport

Erika Bruess, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah

Kirsten Burrett, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah

Jennifer DeLaRosa, Carrie Lee Elementary School, Decorah

Annika Krieg, Carrie Lee Elementary School, Decorah

Jackie Panos, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah

Beth Christner, Diagonal Community School, Diagonal

Heather G. Coffman, Douds Center, Douds

Anna Bruxvoort, Resurrection Elementary, Dubuque

Cassandra Cate, Peosta Elementary School, Dubuque

Julie Voss, Resurrection Elementary, Dubuque

Linda Pollock, Dunkerton Elementary and Middle Schools, Dunkerton

Jordan Omvig, Robert Blue Middle School, Eagle Grove

Susan Cenci, Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont CSD, Eddyville

Shellee Shafer, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont CSD, Eddyville

Robin Taylor, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont CSD, Eddyville

Adrianna Allen, Edgewood-Colesburg Elementary, Edgewood

Linda Tegeler, Ed-Co Schools, Edgewood

Beth Jarding, Epworth Elementary, Epworth

Carrye Pucci, Epworth Elementary, Epworth

Kristen Wagner, Epworth Elementary, Epworth

Sally Goodenbour, Poyner Elementary School, Evansdale

Kala Miller, Fairfield Middle School, Fairfield

Madeline Thomas, Maharishi School, Fairfield

Kayla Peiffer, Fremont Elementary, Fremont

Beverly Ambrosy, La Salle Catholic School, Holy Cross

Olivia Emmett, Hudson Elementary, Hudson

Andrea Hottle, Hudson Elementary School, Hudson

Brenda Krapfl, Hudson Schools, Hudson

Taylor Ronan, Hudson Elementary School, Hudson

Myrissa Gingerich, Hoover Elementary, Iowa City

Krista Oolman, Ireton Christian School, Ireton

Christina Carlton, Turkey Valley Schools, Jackson Junction

Jessie Greiner, Douds Center Elementary, Keosauqua

Jodi Ebert, Keota Elementary School, Keota

Kathy Ploeger, Kingsley Pierson Schools, Kingsley

Dawn Stoakes, Union Middle & High School, La Porte City

Afton Brinkman, Laurens Marathon Elementary, Laurens

Ashley Langel, Gehlen Catholic School, Le Mars

Rosa Sondag, Central Decatur Community School, Leon

Katie Johnsen, Logan-Magnolia Elementary, Logan

Dean Behrens, North Cedar Elementary, Lowden

Beverly Wolterman, IKM - Manning School, Manning

Jenna Spain, Cardinal Elementary School, Maquoketa

Angie Schnepf, MMCRU Marcus Schools, Marcus

Amanda Seuntjens, MMCRU Elementary, Marcus

Terah Henson, Martensdale St. Mary's Elementary, Martensdale

Julie Messer, Mediapolis Middle School, Mediapolis

Tejlor Strope, Missouri Valley High School, Missouri Valley

Josie Guerin, Little Bulldog Childcare Center, Monona

Amy Kruse, Little Bulldog Childcare Center, Monona

Angela Pape, MFLMarMac Schools, Monona

Sarah Wille, MFL MarMac High School, Monona

Colton Warrick, PCM High School, FFA, Monroe

Larissa Havard, Moravia Elementary, Moravia

Pam Parks, Woodbury Central School, Moville

Kelli Finken, Tri-Center Elementary, Neola

Taylor Smith, Tri-Center Elementary, Neola

Judy Wiggins, Tri-Center Elementary, Neola

Nicole Guldager, New Hartford Elementary/Jr High, New Hartford

Courtney Darrow, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Abby Gruhn, Newell Fonda Elementary School, Newell

Susan Hess, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Whitney McKeever, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Kayla Wingert, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Becky McKinney, Central Lutheran School, Newhall

Lindsey Henderson, Riverside Elementary, Oakland

Robyn Ceurvorst, Olin Elementary School, Olin

Betty Steenblock, Orange City Head Start, Orange City

Elizabeth Good, Oskaloosa Elementary, Oskaloosa

Dana Sereg, Oskaloosa Elementary School, Oskaloosa

Krista Burton, Eisenhower Elementary School, Ottumwa

Diane Gnade, Midland Elementary, Oxford Junction

Amber Evans, Pocahontas Area Elementary, Pocahontas

Sarah Allison, Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary, Radcliffe

Shari Ambrose, Community Lutheran School, Readlyn

Beth Foster, Community Lutheran School, Readlyn

Audrey Kaufman, Community Lutheran School, Readlyn

Rachel Beary, Seymour Schools, Seymour

Janna Mix-Huot, Liberty Elementary School, Sioux City

Nancy Dau, Spirit Lake Elementary, Spirit Lake

Jamie Nebelsick, Spirit Lake Elementary, Spirit Lake

Micah Barnes, Storm Lake High School, Storm Lake

Sarah Kreutz, St Mary's Catholic School, Storm Lake

Molly Dolch, West Central Valley High School, Stuart

Kristen Finical, Fremont-Mills Preschool and Early Childhood Center, Tabor

Michelle Gillespie, Fremont-Mills Elementary, Tabor

Hanna Bedwell, Interstate 35 High School, Truro

Melissa Marwedel, Webster Elementary School, Urbandale

Rhonda Osborn, Des Moines Christian School, Urbandale

Shelley Blakeney, St. James School, Washington

Angela Webb, Hoover Middle School, Waterloo

Jill Folsom, Sugar Creek Elementary, Waukee

Monique van der Heijden, Montessori Children's House, West Des Moines

Kathleen Bonjour, Hippity Hop, West Union

Dawn Gannon, Calamus Wheatland Secondary, Wheatland

Susan Heilig, Calamus Wheatland School District, Wheatland

Jennifer Bakke, Whiting Elementary, Whiting

Anne Weber, Whiting CSD, Whiting

Karsyn Kinney, Woodbine Schools, Woodbine

Megan Kuhlmann, Woodbine Community School, Woodbine

Danielle Peckenpaugh, Woodbine Community School, Woodbine


 


About the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation

Iowa is the leading producer of agricultural products that are essential to feed a growing world population. The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) believes it is important for all Iowans to understand the essential role agriculture has in their lives. Through Agriculture in the Classroom efforts, IALF engages with teachers and students throughout Iowa. IALF is supported by the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, GROWMARK, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Turkey Federation, Corteva Agriscience, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Midwest Dairy, Iowa Farm Bureau Financial Services, Nutrien, and others in support of strengthening agriculture literacy among pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and their students. For more information visit IALF online at www.IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, and on X (formerly known as Twitter).  

83 views

Comments


bottom of page