Bayer Grant

STAR CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AWARDED $25,000 GRANT TO ENHANCE STEM CURRICULUM WITH THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL FARMERS

By Working with Farmers, America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Program, sponsored by the Bayer Fund, Awarded $2.3 Million in Grants to Strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education in Rural Schools

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education $25,000 grant awarded to Star City School District  (August 20, 2019) – In early 2019, America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Bayer Fund, partnered with local farmers to nominate rural schools and awarded more than $2.3 million in grants to enhance their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. Because area farmers answered the call, Grow Rural Education has awarded Star City School District in Lincoln County, Arkansas with a $25,000 grant. Star City School District is one of the many schools across the country that has benefited from the Grow Rural Education program. For each grant-winning school, teachers, students and, oftentimes, community members develop plans to create more engaging and innovative STEM programs. Grow Rural Education grants have helped schools purchase an array of STEM-related materials.  Star City School District will use the Grow Rural Education funds to purchase STEM Curriculum and construct a K-12 greenhouse to engage students.

“This award is truly an honor because our local farmers played a key role in the process, by nominating Star City School District. Our Board of Education also deserves credit for building great relationships and supporting our STEM programs,” said Superintendent, Jon Laffoon. “With the incredible support of local farmers and our teachers, these funds will make our STEM programs more engaging and positively impacted students' futures. We need to also thank Mrs. Gina Richard, our STEM Director,  who completed the grant and the farmers and teachers who selected Star City’s application.”

To qualify for a Grow Rural Education grant, farmers nominated a school or school district to compete for a merit-based grant of either $10,000 or $25,000. School districts that were nominated then submitted a grant application describing their STEM-focused project. Grow Rural Education’s Farmer Advisory Council, consisting of approximately 30 farmer leaders from across the country, reviewed the finalist applications and selected the winning school districts, including Star City School District.

Since Grow Rural Education began in 2011, it has awarded more than $18 million to more than 1,000 schools in rural communities across the United States. To view a complete list of winners or to learn more about the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, visit AmericasFarmers.com or follow along on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericasFarmers.

About America’s Farmers

The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern U.S. Agriculture through communications and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America. To learn more, visit America’s Farmers at www.AmericasFarmers.com.

About the Bayer Fund

The Bayer Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the overall health and wellbeing in communities where farmers and Bayer employees live and work. Visit the Bayer Fund at www.monsantofund.org