by Caroline Newby, administrative assistant
This year has certainly been a challenge for everyone in every aspect of life. Now that the school year is starting, a new challenge is upon us. This challenge will be educating our children in and out of the classroom. It is also a time for our teachers to become more creative than ever before. As always, the Volusia County Farm Bureau mini-grant program is available to help Volusia teachers put together agriculture and science programs for their students to learn, show pride in their accomplishments, and enjoy the education along the way.
We received results from some of the best and most creative teaching programs of the 2019/2020 school year, and are proud to bring these results to the public’s attention to promote the importance of agriculture and science in our everyday lives.
Teacher Sharon Pitts of Children’s House Montessori School in DeLand purchased composters for her class and taught her students what composing was, what could and could not be composted, how to care for the compost, and how it would bemused in their garden. Unfortunately, at the time the compost was ready for use, the COVID-19 crisis prevented students from finishing their project. Still, this lesson taught the students how they can reduce waste and create natural fertilizer.
Jessica Flood, also from the Children’s House Montessori School, planted a strawberry garden with her students. The students in her class used math skills to build raised bed, learn how compost helps with healthy plant growth, and how to protect their strawberries from pests. This project was also interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, however Flood continued to care for a beautiful crop of strawberries.
Farm Bureau is excited to see what programs and accomplishments teachers put together with the use of these mini-grant funds during this challenging time.
“We give these mini-grants for a purpose; that is to assist the teaching of agriculture or sciences. And we’re certainly in favor of them in whatever way they can, to teach. If they (teachers) need any additional help, let us know,” said Bill Hester, Volusia County Farm Bureau executive director.
Volusia County Farm Bureau has $2,000 set aside for mini-grants up to $200 each. Grants are available for Volusia County educators, grades K-12. Application deadline is Sept. 27. Email Caroline Newby at caroline.newby@ffbf.org or call 386-734-1612 for application.