Explore Agriculture Classroom Grant
Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) is awarding grants up to $500 to support Montana educators who incorporate agriculture into their curriculum. These grants aim to help teachers creatively integrate agriculture into their classrooms and foster discussions with students on the importance of agriculture. The goal of this program is to assist educators in highlighting the role of Montana agriculture and how it integrates in everyday life.
Matching funds for this grant program have been provided by Montana Ag in the Classroom.
Eligibility:
Applications are open to K-12 educators and administrators in the state of Montana.
MFS’s Explore Agriculture Classroom Grant program provides funding for a wide range of agricultural focused lessons, projects or events. Educators can use this award to support hands-on projects, classroom-based learning and events to help students explore the role of agriculture in their daily lives. Visit our FAQ below for examples of how funding may be used.
How It Works:
- Apply for funding by completing and submitting the online MFS Explore Agriculture Classroom Grant Application Form for your lesson plan, project, or field trip.
- The MSF Board of Trustees will review your application.
- You will be notified of the status of your request within 30 days of submission.
- Grant awards require an impact report within 30 days of the completed lesson/event.
Please Note: All grants will be paid to the school or school district.
Deadlines
- Applications are accepted at any time throughout the school year and summer.
- An impact report must be submitted within 30 days of the completed lesson, project, or event. We understand the sensitivity around student photos, but when possible, we strongly encourage photos to be included as part of the impact report.
Application
Impact Report Form
FAQ
The grant must be used for the approved activity. There are few limitations on what the grant can fund, including:
Examples of project ideas:
- Implementation of Montana Ag in the Classroom lesson plans tied to core subjects
- Pollinator gardens and pizza gardens
- Hydroponic, aquaponic, or greenhouse systems
- Garden boxes, seeds, soil, and other supplies for classroom or school gardens
- Brooding supplies or materials to build a chicken coop
- Nutrition activities, such as Montana-grown taste tests and lessons on healthy eating
- Student research projects focused on Montana commodities and their uses
- Pen pal programs to connect students with others in different regions and explore ag across geographies
- Agricultural careers day to highlight opportunities in Montana’s ag industry
- Field trip expenses to farms, nurseries, greenhouses, or ag-related businesses
- Hosting a Farm Day or Ag Day with hands-on stations and learning experiences
Current K-12 educators and administrations are eligible to apply for grants.
Only one application per educator, per school year, may be submitted.
Grants are accepted on a rolling basis. You can apply throughout the school year and summer.
An impact report must be submitted within 30 days of the completed lesson/event. We understand the sensitivity around student photos, but when possible, we strongly encourage photos to be included as part of the impact report.
No. Please apply for the grant once you know the date and location.
Yes, but we do take the number of classes that we have funded field trips for, from each school district, into consideration.
All applications will be reviewed and answered within two weeks of submission.
Grants awards are up to $500.
Upon receiving a grant, you will receive payment within a month.
All checks will be made payable to the school or school district. If there is a special circumstance, please contact MSF to discuss..
Please contact MSF to discuss options. We are happy to work with you when we can.