Rural Education Program Invests $2.3 Million to Rural Schools

Rural Education Program Invests $2.3 Million in Rural Schools

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report.

As those of us living in rural school districts can attest, there is more financial need than money for most districts. To help address that financial need, the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic organization of Monsanto Company, has sponsored America’s Farmer Grow Rural Education program.

Monsanto Fund President Deborah Patterson shares details on the Pacific Northwest region’s four 2012 winners.

Patterson: “We had over 1,000 school districts apply. We had in Idaho two school districts in Caldwell and Filer school districts will each receive $10,000 and in Oregon $10,000 is going to be invested in Vale School District 84. In Washington, the Warden School District will receive a $25,000 grant for a total of $55,000 in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.”

These grants are being used to purchase new laptops in Caldwell; fund teachers digital learning in Filer; upgrade the Vale High School science lab; and create a community partnership in Warden for a lab farm.

Interested in nominating your school district in 2013? Well there are some eligibility requirements to consider. To learn more, go to www.growruraleducation.com.

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.