The Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council awarded a $2,500 competitive grant to the Glenville-Emmons Agricultural Education Department. This project will help create a horticulture and floriculture class at the high school. Students will have hands-on opportunities to design, market and sell their produce and designs. The Glenville-Emmons school system has a strong agricultural education program that is led by teacher, Angie James.

Grants range in scale from funding advanced record keeping procedures for farmers to developing agri-science classes that can be utilized via the internet. A total of 21 grants are being awarded to schools and organizations around Minnesota. ince its creation in 1997, the council has provided over $1.5 million in competitive grants, scholarships, sponsored projects and awards.

Three types of grant applications were funded. Innovation grants are open to any school or organization whose program focuses on educating youth and the public about agriculture in an innovative way. Priority Issues Grants are targeted specifically towards high school agricultural education programs. Quality program grants align with the council’s strategic plan of recruitment, retention, and transition of agricultural education students and teachers.

Established in 1997 by the Minnesota Legislature, the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council is comprised of 16 educators, legislators, government officials, and agribusiness and community organization representatives. The Council represents all of the major institutions and groups in Minnesota with an interest in agricultural education and serves as a focal point for initiatives to improve agricultural education in the state.