Clinton County Ag in the Classroom Awarded $9,000 Grant!

Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) continues to help teachers and students make meaningful connections to agriculture through hands-on learning. This week, the IAA Foundation announced funding awards to support local programs across the state—including right here in Clinton County.

Clinton County Ag in the Classroom Coordinator Susan Kleiboeker received a grant of over $9,000 from the IAA Foundation. This funding will help support agricultural literacy efforts in Clinton County by providing classroom materials, training, lessons, and activities for students throughout the 2025–2026 school year.

Statewide, 80 ag literacy coalitions serving 89 Illinois counties were awarded a total of $668,150 in grant funds. These grants help ensure teachers have access to engaging, accurate agricultural resources and local support for classroom integration.

“Providing these grants ensures teachers have a local connection and access to engaging resources to integrate accurate agricultural content into their classrooms,” said Kevin Daugherty, IAITC education director.

Last school year alone, 643,958 students and 36,335 teachers engaged in ag literacy lessons through IAITC. County programs delivered over 31,000 individual presentations, including classroom lessons, farm field trips, and ag expos that bring learning to life.

Funding for county programs like Clinton County’s is made possible through the IAA Foundation and its many partners and donors. Operating as the charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau, the IAA Foundation raises funds annually for IAITC programs, teacher grants, Ag Mags, Summer Ag Academies, and more.

“Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom is a true partnership,” said Susan Moore, IAA Foundation director. “Our partners are committed to making ag literacy a priority, and we are grateful for that.”

Partner organizations of IAITC include Illinois Farm Bureau, Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education, University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Soybean Association, Midwest Dairy Association, Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.