TFB offering garden grants

Small-scale gardening and large-scale farming have much in common, and Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Learning from the Ground Up program helps students make that connection.

The program grants up to $500 to a teacher or administrator from a public or private Texas school. The program funds activities that help students understand the source of their food, fiber and fuel and gain a greater knowledge and appreciation of Texas agriculture.

“We need students to have a deeper appreciation for how their food is grown and for the people who grow it,” Booker Young, President County Farm Bureau president, said. “This program can help our teachers bring agricultural concepts to life in their classroom.”

Parent-teacher associations and other organizations are open to apply as long as students are involved in the project from beginning to end.

Qualifying projects include school gardens, raised beds, greenhouses, hydroponics and aquaponics. These provide students with hands-on learning about agriculture and food production.

Applications must be submitted online by Oct. 14.

Additional information and the application link can be found in the Learning from the Ground Up section on TFB’s Ag in the Classroom webpage at https:// texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.

“We highly encourage educators in the area apply for this grant,” Booker said. “It’s a great opportunity for our students in Bandera County.”