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.

The 2026 grant applications are open! Follow the links below to register for a 2026 Teacher or Library Grant. Applications are due by November 3rd, 2025.

2026 Teacher Grant Application

2026 Library Grant Application

2026 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.)

DuPage County Farm Bureau 4-H Grant Application

2025 Ag in the Classroom Teacher Grant Winners

“Hydroponics in the Classroom”

Joy Yerly- Arbor View Elementary, Glen Ellyn- 3rd Grade

Joy gave her students a unique experience by purchasing small hydroponic units for the library and third grade classrooms. Students learned about growing plants, hydroponics, nutrients, and plant diseases. They were responsible for making sure the water levels were appropriate for growth. Joy also incorporated the books “I Love Strawberries” and “Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm” which touch on hydroponic production. The students loved watching their plants grow and comparing their classroom unit to the library unit.

“Community Garden Project”

Austin Chu- G. Stanley Hall Elementary, Glendale Heights- K-5th Grade

Austin created a community garden project with K-5 students at his school. Grant funds were used to purchase soil, garden beds, and a rainwater collection system. Each grade had specific responsibilities in the garden. Kindergarten and 1st graders learned about plant parts and plant needs. The 2^nd and 3^rd graders learned about pollination and composting, and 4^th and 5^th graders played leadership roles in managing watering schedules as well as building the garden beds. All the students gained a deeper understanding of where their food comes from!

“Chickens Outside the Classroom”

Thomas Grace- Madison Elementary, Wheaton – 4th Grade

Thomas utilized the teacher grant funds to expand the school’s new chicken coop area and purchase feed. Three small hens affectionately named Nugget, Fred, and Pumpkin were brought to the school and cared for on school grounds by the 4^th grade classes. Students learned about livestock care and egg production. Over 328 eggs were collected! Throughout the year every grade visited the coop and learned about livestock farming from the 4^th graders.

“Growing Food”

Krista Lipnisky- Washington Elementary, Wheaton- 4th Grade

Krista used the grant funding to enhance their school’s garden. This included purchasing materials for a compost bin, garden bed liners, and plant warmers for the indoor greenhouse. During the year, the 4^th graders worked together to install the bed liners and learned about composting with worms, plant growth, and maintaining the garden. Planting and harvesting their produce is always a highlight of the program for the students.

“Westfield Garden Club”

Karl Mennecke- Westfield Elementary, Glen Ellyn- K-5th Grade

Karl established a permanent vegetable garden at the school with the grant funding. Students K-5^th were involved in the program which involved planting, maintaining, and harvesting fresh produce. The Westfield Garden Club met two or three times a week and students used this time to prepare the beds, spread compost, and plant vegetables. Each session included a short lesson about gardening techniques, plant biology, and the importance of healthy soil. Additionally, students gained a greater awareness of where their food comes from and the work involved in growing it.

“Bringing the Outside In”

Jeanne Kaefer- St. Pius School, Lombard- Pre-K

Jeanne used her grant funding to create an outdoor/indoor experience with her Preschoolers. Jeanne purchased farm themed story books, animal viewers, bug sorters, live caterpillars, praying mantises and ladybugs, as well as potting supplies. Students learned about insects and plant lifecycles throughout the spring. The students were especially excited to see their chrysalises hatch! Jeanne also utilized supplies from our Pre-K & Kindergarten teacher workshop as program enhancements.

“Mrs. Diaz Scientists”

Catalina Diaz- Stone Elementary, Addison- 3rd Grade

Catalina purchased a hydroponic tower system for her 3^rd grade classroom with the grant funding. This allowed students to explore the science of plant growth, sustainability, and the benefits of hydroponics. Students worked in small groups to plant the seeds and learned how to monitor the plants’ growth. Over several weeks the students tracked the growth of their plants and made predictions on how different conditions might impact the plants. They also discussed the science behind nutrient absorption, water cycles, and the advantages of growing food without soil.

“Cray Cray for Hydroponics”

Megan Tocknell & Kate Pereda- Stone Elementary, Addison- 3rd Grade

Megan and Kate used their grant to enhance their 3^rd graders life science unit focused on the study of seeds and sprouts and crayfish. These teachers pooled their funds to purchase a hydroponics system and small seed sprouter to grow leafy greens such as lettuce, Swiss chard, radicchio, and kale in the classroom. During the unit, students also sprouted bush bean seeds in a mini sprouter and then continued growing the plants in the hydroponics unit. Much of the food produced was used to feed their crayfish as they continued their study of living organisms, their environment, and needs.

Library Grants

In December 2024, eight 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!