Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) is helping teachers in Ogle and Carroll counties bring agriculture to life for students across the state through IAA Foundation grants, which support hands-on lessons, teacher resources and agricultural literacy programs in Illinois schools.
Victoria Hansen, Carroll County Farm Bureau Manager, expressed her gratitude, “We are very appreciative of those who support Agriculture in the Classrooms. It is so important that our youth learn about the important role agriculture plays in their daily lives.”
This week, the IAA Foundation awarded $691,961 in grants to 79 agricultural literacy coalitions serving 81 Illinois counties. The funding will support program materials, training, educational lessons and activities during the 2026-27 school year.
“Our grant to local coalitions works to ensure that teachers across the state have access to materials and accurate resources to integrate agriculture into their existing curriculum from Pre-K to12,” said Kevin Daugherty, IAITC education director.
During the 2025-26 school year, IAITC reached 672,407 students and 49,726 teachers through agricultural literacy lessons. County Agriculture in the Classroom programs also delivered 35,004 individual programs across Illinois.
In Ogle and Carroll counties, 26,203 student contacts were made through 1,298 programs. Students mixed and kneaded, creating their own loaves of bread to enjoy with their families. They made tootsie rolls, finding it takes five farmers to make these sweet treats. Many students experienced hands-on monthly activities, discovering the importance of all aspects of agriculture around them.
County coalition grants are made possible through gifts from IAA Foundation funding partners and individuals who support IAITC. As the charitable arm of Illinois Farm Bureau, the IAA Foundation raises funds for IAITC each year. In addition to county grants, the foundation supports Ag Mags, teacher grants, Summer Ag Academies, and other agricultural literacy efforts.
“The IAA Foundation proudly supports the efforts of IAITC, and most importantly, the work of local ag literacy coordinators,” said Susan Moore, IAA Foundation director. “This is a true partnership in every sense of the word, and we are grateful to all organizations and individuals who give generously to help IAITC remain strong and well respected.
IAITC partner organizations 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 Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Agribusiness partners and individuals also provide annual support for IAITC and its agricultural literacy programs.
For information about supporting the IAA Foundation or to view a list of major donors, visit www.iaafoundation.org. For more information about Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom, visit www.agintheclassroom.org.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.