Agricultural Educator Competitive Grant

The Minnesota Department of Education invites applications from Minnesota public school districts, charter schools, intermediate school districts and education districts who want to provide an approved summer agricultural program to high school students. There is $250,000 available in state funding from Minnesota Statutes, section 2016 Session Law, Chapter 189, Article 25, section 55, Subdivision 14, for this initiative. Funds may be used to support one-half share of salary and benefits for each licensed agricultural teacher for up to three teachers in each program for a  total of up to 40 days for the summer program. Applicants selected for funding must match the amount funded with the grant.

Applicants will decide if they want to offer their approved agricultural summer program during the summer of 2017, or the summer of 2018. A district may offer an approved summer program at more than one high school or for students at more than one high school. However, the program must be the same at each site. Applications are reviewed based on the type of program offered.  If a district wishes to provide a different approved summer program, they must submit a separate application.

Applications could serve students in many areas, such as: 1) leadership development activities, 2) service learning, 3) experiential learning, 4) career exploration, 5) farm safety, and 6) program development.

The grant opportunity documents and announcement will be available after August 25, 2016, on the department's grant opportunity site.

Questions are due to Joel Larsen, AFNR Program Specialist, at Joel.larsen@state.mn.us or 651-582-8395. Applications must be received by (not postmarked by) October 17, 2016, 3:30 p.m., Central Time.