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| Spotlight on Youth - Jan. 19, 2011 |
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Monsanto Fund donates $10,000 to provide lab
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Adam Swigart, Blue Ridge Community Unit High School, of Farmer City, Ill., agriculture instructor, knows the importance of technology to modern agricultural methods, which is exactly why he and his students pursued a grant from the Monsanto Fund to install a $10,000 wireless computer lab in their classroom.
“This will help us modernize our agriculture program,” Swigart says. “We are planning to install 10 laptop stations that students can use in the classroom.”
Swigart and the Blue Ridge Agriculture Department first heard about the opportunity from student Jim Tobin, current Blue Ridge FFA Chapter President and Section 16 President who serves on the community board at the local Farmer City Monsanto facility.
“Jim presented the idea, and we developed a committee to draft the grant proposal,” Swigart said. “We are still in shock that this idea is becoming a reality.”
Now, Blue Ridge agriculture students can complete their online record books, college prep work, research and class projects all from their very own classroom workstation.
“This grant will provide our students with the latest technology to develop many important skills for use in many fields of agriculture,” said Susan Wilson, Interim Superintendent of Schools for Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18. “Blue Ridge Community Schools welcome the opportunity to partner with the Monsanto Fund to provide this opportunity for students in our community.”
Monsanto Fund’s mission is to strengthen farming communities and communities where our people live and work.
“Monsanto is proud to be a member of the Farmer City community and is committed to supporting the communities where we do business. We are excited to have partnered with Blue Ridge High School Agriculture Program to secure funding to upgrade the computers in the Agricultural Department. We have a long history of supporting agricultural education and FFA and recognize the positive difference and competitive advantage provided in the job market and workplace for students who participate in these programs,” said Martha Smith, Midwest Community Affairs Manager for Monsanto and a former FFA member.
The Monsanto Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company. Incorporated in 1964, the Fund’s primary objective is to improve the lives of people by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org/asp/welcome.asp
Ft. Recovery FFA food science teams compete
FT. RECOVERY, Ohio — The Food Science teams recently competed in the district contest. The Senior Food Science team members were Nathan Fortkamp, Caitlin Gehret, Megan Rammel and Stacy Will. They had placed 11th in the district contest.
The Junior Food Science team members included Nicole Hart, Natalie Lennartz, Kelly Nietfeld and Karissa Will. This team placed 12th in the district contest. The teams were tested over identifying scents and determining the difference between foods, such as distinguishing which food was salted. They also had to do a team event, where they created a food product. Other events contained a task to respond to complaint letters.
Monsanto partners with Jay County FFA to build lab
PORTLAND, Ind. — Monsanto has partnered with the Jay County FFA with an outdoor agronomy lab.
During the first year of the partnership, the Jay County FFA Chapter will feature a corn hybrid comparison plot scenario.
FFA members will have the opportunity to compare data from several different brands/companies and seed varieties. The Jay County FFA would also like to thank Harvest Land Co-op for their help with soil testing, as well as Monsanto for the experience gained by the students through this opportunity.
Indiana students encouraged to enter essay contest on food
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Students in grades 4-12 are encouraged to capture their love of Indiana food and its farmers on paper or on video for the 2011 Ag Essay Contest titled “Our Food, Our Farmers.”
Sponsored by Indiana’s Family of Farmers and the Indiana Humanities Council, the essay contest asks students to explain how Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their life—and in the lives of those around them. There are two categories of competition: video essay and written essay; and three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. Entries must be received by Feb. 15, 2011.
“Indiana’s family farms, large and small, are committed to providing a safe, stable and affordable food supply that feeds a growing population,” said Indiana Agriculture Director, Joe Kelsay. “But today’s farmers do more than feed and clothe us. They contribute to the economy, protect the environment and improve our health. We want to help young Hoosiers understand and appreciate this impact.”
A winner from each grade level, in each category, will receive a Flip VideoTM Camcorder and be invited to a presentation at the Indiana Statehouse on March 7, 2011.
The overall winner in each category will receive an Apple iPad.
Entry guidelines can be found at www.FoodforThoughtIndiana.org, www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com and at http://vimeo.com/groups/agweek |
| 1/19/2011 |
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