slideshow

ALTUS – In a world where technology trumps all, schools often find themselves scrambling to keep up. Thanks to the support of local farmers and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education℠, Navajo Public Schools will have no trouble staying ahead of the curve. The school district has received a $10,000 grant to fund Learning on Wheels, a mobile computer lab that houses 24 laptops, one printer and two Smart Interactive Response Systems.

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their community to compete for a grant of either $10,000 or $25,000 to enhance education in the areas of math and/or science. More than 1,000 nominated school districts submitted applications. The Monsanto Fund will invest $2.3 million into rural education through this program.

“Each student will benefit tremendously from Learning on Wheels,” said Whitney Crosnoe, Navajo Public School District teacher. “The use of computers allows students to gain knowledge and skills through project-based learning, which will continue to benefit them well after they graduate.”

After being nominated by local farmers, school districts completed an online application, and finalists were chosen by math and science teachers from ineligible school districts. The America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of 26 prominent farmers from across the country, then reviewed the finalists’ applications and selected the winners.

“America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education has truly made a positive impact on Navajo Public Schools,” Crosnoe said. “Students now have access to an individualized curriculum that was previously unavailable, and overall test scores are rising.”

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education started with a successful pilot in Illinois and Minnesota in 2011, in which farmers were given the opportunity to nominate a public school district in 165 eligible counties in those two states. The Monsanto Fund awarded more than $266,000 to local schools in 16 CRDs. Now, the program has expanded to 1,245 eligible counties in 39 states.

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education helps farmers positively impact their communities and supports local rural school districts. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund’s overall effort to support rural education and communities. Another program that is part of this effort is America’s Farmers Grow Communities, which gives winning farmers the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation to their favorite community nonprofit organization in their county. Farmers can participate in this program through Nov. 30, 2012 by visiting www.growcommunities.com.