The DuPage County Farm Bureau Foundation provides grants worth up to $250 to K-12 teachers who design an agriculture curriculum to implement in their classrooms and up to $50 to libraries to purchase agriculture books. Teacher grants may not be used for pollinator gardens or campus beautification. Projects should be focused around food production. Please see applications for more information.

Note: Applications for the Spring 2025 grants are closed. Look for 2026 info coming in August. Grants are due in November each year.

2024 4-H Project Grant 

This grant is designed to help 4-H members complete a successful 4-H project related to agriculture. Examples include but are not limited to, livestock, livestock care and materials (cages, halters, bottles, etc.)

2024 4-H Project Grant Application

Ag in the Classroom Teacher Grants

“Incubation Project”

Nina Yevdash- Indian Knoll Elementary, West Chicago- K-2nd

Nina utilized her grant funds to create an embryology program for her Kindergarten through 2^nd grade students. Nina’s classes learned about chicken lifecycles, egg incubation, and animal care. The program also gave students a better understanding of where their food comes from and how farmers care for livestock.

“Earth Club”

Krista Lipnisky- Washington Elementary, Wheaton- 4th Grade

Krista used her grant to enhance their student Earth Club activities. This year the 4^th graders learned about growing vegetables and flowers, set up a composting bin, watched caterpillars hatch into butterflies, and readied their garden bed by using compost from their classroom. They were also able to see the fall crops mature that were planted last spring and will be caring for the garden over the summer. This year Earth Club was so popular that it had to be split into two groups!

“Plants for All”

Alisha Waters- Jefferson Jr. High, Naperville – 7th Grade

Alisha used the grant to propagate plants for each classroom in the school as students participated in interactive workshops. Students learned about plant biology and the structure and function of plant cells. Activities included microscopic examinations, gardening sessions, and learning about watering, fertilizer, and pest management. This project helped foster a sense of responsibility and community as students took turns caring for the plants.

“More Than Green Garden Club”

Sara Finkelstein- Jefferson Jr. High, Naperville- 7th Grade

Sara used the grant funding to promote environmental stewardship and biodiversity by having students create a school pollinator garden. Students researched pollinator species and their preferred plant species. They learned about native plants that would grow well in their soil condition as well as blooming periods, which act as a continuous food source. Students prepared their soil, planted their native flowers and grasses, and cared for the plants. The garden will be maintained by the More Than Green Garden Club.

Library Grants

In December 2023, fifteen libraries across DuPage County received grants to purchase agriculture accurate books. Recipients were able to choose from books on a provided list and order them directly to the library. Thank you to everyone who participated! We’re excited to be sharing the love of agriculture all across our county!

4-H Grants

Congratulations to Garrett Schnall of the Darien Dragons on an amazing project. Garrett received $150 for his Service-Learning project and learned how to grow vegetables and herbs in small containers. He used his funds to purchase seeds and potting supplies for 90 plants. Garrett not only wanted to share his produce with kids in need, but also teach them how to grow their own food. He presented his plants to classmates and his mom’s classroom around Earth Day and showed the students how to care for the plants at home. Great job Garrett!

Congratulations to Morgan Uhlir of the Whirlybirds on her successful 4-H project. Morgan received $150 for her poultry project and used the funds to purchase a chicken coop for her hens. Morgan learned how to assemble the coop with her dad. Before the project her chickens could only go outside when the family was home to supervise. The coop allowed the chickens to be outside every day, and she has seen improvement in their health. Congrats to Morgan on a job well done!