Kentucky students will learn their reading, writing, math, science and social studies lessons through agricultural-related activities thanks to 2, $500 grants awarded by the CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., and the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO).

The two projects selected for funding are:

• West Hardin Middle School’s Grow an Understanding of Agriculture project will expose students to the agriculture industry firsthand through the utilization of a hydroponics garden and career-focused activities.
• Adair County Middle School’s Year-Round Indoor Gardening will allow students to grow food every season with an indoor garden and explore the issue of food security.

These projects were selected for funding from 47 grant applications submitted.

“The funding provided by the CHS Foundation allows educators to take concepts of agriculture and create firsthand, impactful experiences, giving students lifelong knowledge and skills” said Tammy Maxey, president of NAITCO and programs director of Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. “Creative ideas are able to take flight, teaching youth where their food, fiber and fuel comes from in a meaningful way with the help of these grant awards.

“The CHS Foundation is dedicated to supporting educators and students of all ages,” said Nanci Lilja, CHS Foundation president. “These Classroom Grant projects allow students to explore agriculture through a variety of concepts and experiences, seeing firsthand all agriculture encompasses.”

NAITCO is a non-profit organization made up of Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) programs in 50 states including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its mission is to educate teachers and students in grades Pre-K-12 about the importance of agriculture by incorporating agricultural concepts into classroom instruction. To learn more about NAITCO, please visit www.agclassroom.org.

The CHS Foundation is funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains, and foods company. The CHS Foundation is focused on developing a new generation of agriculture leaders. It is achieving its goals through these strategic initiatives: advancing innovation in cooperative education, cultivating opportunity through university partnerships, growing high-impact youth leadership programs and accelerating potential for careers in agriculture. Together with its signature partners, it develops agriculture leaders for life. For more information, please visit www.chsfoundation.org.