(Ankeny)—A local FFA chapter is among eight in Iowa that have been awarded “Planting a Seed” grants by the Iowa Food and Family Project. The program is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer in cooperation with the Iowa FFA Foundation.
The Clay Central-Everly FFA chapter was awarded $1,500 to conduct programs this spring promoting interest in ag-related careers and the roles that science and technology play in providing wholesome food using less inputs. Specifically, the CCE chapter will use the grant to teach children how to grow their own food through a multi-phase approach beginning with the MavPack program. FFA members will include a variety of Iowa-produced foods in MavPacks distributed to students for use on weekends and school vacations. The chapter also wants to establish a garden to develop students’ horticulture skills and teach healthy eating habits.
The chapters will be recognized in April at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference in Ames. The chapter determined to have conducted the most innovative and successful activity will be presented a $2,000 Award of Excellence to be used for general chapter activities.
