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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Carrington School District will offer the latest science technology to its students. Thanks to the support of local farmers and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, Carrington School District received a $10,000 grant to promote student use of technology in its science classes. The district will purchase digital microscopes that students can use to take digital images. Those images will be transferred to iPads, PowerPoint, and computers for school projects and activities.

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, offers farmers the chance to nominate a local public school district, which can then compete for a grant of up to $25,000 to enhance math and/or science education. More than 1,150 nominated school districts submitted applications. The Monsanto Fund will invest $2.3 million through America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education grants this year.

“We are excited for our students to have this opportunity, said Brian Duchscherer, superintendent of Carrington School District. “We thank the Monsanto Fund and the area farmers for this opportunity, and we look forward to incorporating this technology into our curriculum and school programs.”
A check presentation was held Friday, Sept. 27, during halftime of the high school football game. A Monsanto representative attended the event, along with the farmers who nominated the school district for the grant.

Nominated school districts across the country submitted grant applications in the spring. During the summer, a panel of educators from ineligible districts reviewed and evaluated applications based on merit, need and community involvement. The strongest submissions were then sent to the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council. The Advisory Council, comprised of farmer-leaders with an interest in agriculture and education, selected the winning grant applications from this pool of finalists.

“A record number of America’s farmers stepped up this year to improve math and science education in farming communities across the country,” said Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund president. “By nominating their local school districts to compete for this grant opportunity, these farmers demonstrated their dedication to growing the next generation. The Monsanto Fund is committed to strengthening rural America and this program is an exciting way to honor that commitment.”

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education launched nationally in 2012 and has grown to include 1,271 eligible counties in 39 states. Since its inception, the program has invested more than $4.8 million in rural school districts across the country.

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education helps farmers support math and science education in local rural school districts. Currently in its second year, this program is part of the Monsanto Fund’s overall effort to support rural education and communities. America’s Farmers Grow Communities, which offers winning farmers the chance to direct a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit organization in their county, is also part of this effort. Enrollment for 2014 Grow Communities is currently underway. Visit www.GrowCommunities.com to enter to win $2,500 for your county.

To date, these programs combined have contributed more than $15 million to rural communities. To learn more about either program, please visit http://americasfarmers.com/.