HAGERMAN, Idaho (KLIX) – Hagerman High School earlier this summer was awarded with a $25,000 grant to help with its STEM curriculum, and today the school will be presented with the check.

The school is one of many across the country awarded a grant from America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Bayer Fund and partnered with farmers. In all, more than $2.3 million in grant money is being awarded to rural schools for science, technology, engineering and math – or STEM – programs.

For instance, grant money allows schools to purchase materials such as augmented-reality sandboxes, weather-forecasting and robotics equipment, according to a news release.

Hagerman High School will use the Grow Rural Education funds to bridge the gap of understanding and use of science behind farm production, food processing and development and marketing to help expose and prepare students for careers in science-based food production, processing and research.

Hagerman school will be presented with a check today, Friday, Oct. 11, during a football game at the high school.

There is something else that involves farmers, too. Through Nov. 1 farmers in Idaho will have the chance to direct $2,500 to their favorite local nonprofit organization through the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program.

To qualify for a Grow Rural Education grant, farmers nominate a school or school district to compete for a merit-based grant of either $10,000 or $25,000. Those nominated then submit a grant application describing their STEM-focused project.

An advisory council of farm leaders then review the finalist applications and select the winners.

“America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education is a unique program because farmers play an important role throughout the process, from nominating schools to selecting the grant winners,” Bayer Fund President Al Mitchell said in a statement.

“With the incredible support of local farmers, countless grant-winning schools have shared with us how Grow Rural Education funds have made their STEM programs more engaging and, in several instances, positively impacted test scores.”

To view the complete list of winning schools or to learn more, visit  AmericasFarmers.com.

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