Northeast Bradford’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) was recently awarded a $10,000 grant as part of the America’s Farmers GROW Rural Education grant program from the Monsanto Fund. The funds will be used to develop an aquaponics lab, installed at the district’s high school.
The hands-on aquaponics lab will allow students to learn, practice and apply real-world applications involving the challenges facing the world’s increasing population. Environmental friendly practices and sustainability will be at the forefront of instruction as students raise fish, which in turn, will help to grow food crops. The STEM model will be incorporated into the curriculum, which means students will apply chemistry, biology and mathematics in their lab work.
NEB Acting Superintendent William Clark said, “This grant project succinctly aligns with the Pennsylvania FFA’s mission,” which is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
“A special thanks to the local farmers who nominated NEB for this award,” said Clark. “Local community support in education initiatives is so important as we educate the leaders of tomorrow.” Farmers participating in the nomination are Bob Brown, Peck Hill Farm; Paul and Kathy Yoachim; Roy Hottle, Hottle Livestock; and Keith Clark.
America’s Farmers GROW Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, helps farmers positively impact their communities by supporting local school districts. The program gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a rural public school district to compete for merit-based grants to enhance math and/or science education. Since 2011, more than $12 million has been awarded to school districts through this program. Northeast Bradford School District is one of six school districts in Pennsylvania to receive the grant award.
Download news release: Grant Award news release (PDF)