WASHINGTON, D.C., November 14, 2012 – Twenty-five schools were recently selected as grant recipients for the Agriculture in a Growing World program, made possible by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture with partnership from the Nutrients for Life Foundation. Grant recipients represent the following states: Ariz., Calif., Colo., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kan., Ky., La., Md., Mich., Neb., N.J., N.M., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Tenn., Texas, Wash, and Wis.

Grant recipients will receive a class set of “The Man Who Fed the World,” by Leon Hesser. This book brings to life the story of Norman Borlaug, a man who came from a one-room schoolhouse in Iowa and became one of the 100 most influential persons of the 20th Century. In Borlaug’s eyes, fertilizer was a key component to staving off starvation, and Nutrients for Life carries this message forward on a daily basis.

“The Agriculture in a Growing World contest offers a great opportunity for classrooms all over the country to talk about modern agriculture and its role in feeding a growing population,” said Nutrients for Life Executive Director Harriet Wegmeyer.  “We are excited to partner with AFBFA and sponsor this insightful resource in high school classrooms.” Grant recipients will also receive an educator’s guide full of turn-key lesson plans, as well as important information about the upcoming essay contest.

The Agriculture in a Growing World Essay Contest is a national competition, open to 9^th-12^th grade students who have explored the book “The Man Who Fed the World.” Any school, whether grant recipient or not, that has implemented this curriculum may enter the contest. The book, which comes with supporting educator resources, can be purchased at www.agfoundation.org. Contest details are available online at http://bit.ly/MGUrRJ. Essays and accompanying entry form must be emailed to foundation@fb.org or faxed to 202.314.5121 by April 1^st, 2013.

Questions about the grant program and essay contest can be sent directly to educationdirector@fb.org.

Source: Press release courtesy of American Farm Bureau Federation