Iowa teachers have an opportunity to bring new agricultural learning experiences into their classrooms with grant funding. The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) is helping educators bring agriculture from the farm to the classroom through its Agriculture Literacy Teacher Supplement Grant program. These Farm to Classroom Ag Literacy Grants of up to $250 per project, provide support for creative lessons and hands-on learning experiences that connect agriculture to everyday subjects.
Whether students are exploring plant life cycles, calculating crop yields, investigating food production, or learning about Iowa’s agricultural history, the grants help teachers use agriculture to make classroom learning relevant and engaging.
The program supports new projects and the expansion of existing lessons that integrate agriculture into science, math, language arts, and social studies. Grant funds can be used to purchase books, classroom resources, educational kits, and other materials, or to support guest speakers, field trips, and educational activities.
“Teachers have great ideas for connecting agriculture to what they’re already teaching, but finding the resources to make those ideas happen can be a challenge,” said Kelly Foss, IALF Executive Director. “These grants help turn those ideas into classroom experiences that strengthen students’ understanding of agriculture and its connections to their everyday lives.”
Last year, IALF awarded 118 Teacher Supplement Grants in 50 Iowa counties, supporting agricultural learning experiences for more than 7,100 students.
Eligible applicants include Pre-K-12 teachers, school librarians, qualifying after-school programs, and Homeschool Assistance Programs (HSAP).
Applications are due November 29, 2026. Grant-funded projects will take place during the winter/spring 2027 semester.
The Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Supplement Grant Program is offered by IALF with support from its partner organizations and supporters, including the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF). Educators can review program guidelines, explore examples of previously funded projects, and apply online at: https://www.iowaagliteracy.
