OREGON, Ill. — The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) program continues to thrive as a resource for educating Ogle and Carroll county children about agriculture. This week the program received funding to continue classroom lessons thanks to IAA Foundation grants to local county coalitions. 

Eighty coalitions serving 89 Illinois counties were awarded $647,000 in grant dollars which can be used for materials, training, educational lessons, and activities taking place during the 2022-2023 school year.  “Providing these grants ensures teachers have the right resources to integrate accurate agricultural content into their classrooms,” said Kevin Daugherty, education director, IAITC. 

Last school year, 582,594 students and 40,046 teachers engaged in ag literacy lessons through IAITC. County AITC programs presented 28,848 individual programs throughout the state. Classroom presentations, farm field trips, and agriculture expos add a new dimension to existing curricular standards.

“IAITC continues to help highlight Illinois’ #1 industry. Student reach increased 182%, showing a positive trend as we adjust to post-pandemic education,” Daugherty reflected.

During the 2023-2024 year there were 21,967 student contacts made through 1099 programs.  Program activities included students making butter, kneading bread, studying soil, enjoying pumpkin pie, and much more.

County coalition grants are made possible through funding from the IAA Foundation, 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. 

“Consistent and sustainable funding is key for IAITC to have great results,” said Susan Moore, director, IAA Foundation. “And knowing that so many Illinois students are making stronger connections to agriculture drives our donors to keep 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, visit www.iaafoundation.org. For information on IAITC, visit www.agintheclassroom.org.