The ND FFA Foundation is committed to increasing agricultural literacy through meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities. Through a partnership with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the Ag in the Classroom Mini Grant Program provides funding for educators who bring agriculture into their classrooms and communities. This year, Bowman County FFA used a mini grant to give elementary students a closer look at agriculture through interactive activities, livestock, farm equipment, and lessons that connected farming to everyday life.
Program: Bowman County FFA Ag in the Classroom
Teacher: Trevor Steeke, Bowman County FFA Advisor
Impact: Approximately 240 Pre-K through 6th grade students
Purpose: To help students better understand agriculture through hands-on experiences and real-world connections.
Students had the chance to experience agriculture in ways that simply aren’t possible from a textbook. During the Ag Day event, they rotated through stations where they met sheep, pigs, beef cattle, goats, rabbits, horses, and chickens while learning how each animal contributes to agriculture. Along the way, they asked questions, interacted with the animals, and discovered the care and responsibility that goes into raising livestock.
One of the biggest attractions of the day was a combine display. Many students had never seen farm equipment like it before, so getting an up-close look helped them better understand how crops are harvested and how technology plays a role in modern farming. They also explored different grains and learned how crops make the journey from the field to the foods they eat every day.
The learning continued beyond Ag Day. Four Bowman County FFA members visited elementary classrooms to lead additional agriculture lessons, helping younger students make even more connections to the world around them. A trail mix activity showed how many common foods begin on farms and ranches, while hands-on soil activities introduced students to the importance of healthy soil and crop production.
The project reached approximately 240 elementary students and was made possible with the help of 38 Bowman County FFA members. While younger students were learning about agriculture, FFA members were building leadership, communication, and teaching skills as they planned activities and shared their knowledge with others.
By the end of the project, students had a better understanding of where their food comes from and the people who make it possible. They left with new experiences, plenty of questions, and a greater appreciation for agriculture’s role in their everyday lives.
Through the Ag in the Classroom Mini Grant Program, the ND FFA Foundation and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture continue to support projects that bring agriculture to life for students across North Dakota. Experiences like these help spark curiosity, build agricultural literacy, and create lasting connections between students and the industry that feeds and fuels our communities.
Program: Center FFA Greenhouse Revitalization
Teacher: Rebecca Sanders, Center FFA Advisor
Impact: Approximately 150 students
Purpose: To provide students with hands-on experience in plant science while restoring the school’s greenhouse as a learning space.
Objectives:
- Introduce students to a variety of plant science and greenhouse practices.
- Teach students about hydroponics, propagation, and floral design.
- Give students opportunities to apply their skills through real-world projects.
- Reestablish the greenhouse as an active part of the agricultural education program.
Students played an active role in bringing the greenhouse back into use after it had sat unused for several years. Throughout the project, they planted flowers and vegetables, learned how to operate hydroponic grow towers, set up a grow chamber, and practiced propagating lilies by separating bulbs. As the greenhouse came back to life, so did opportunities for students to explore new areas of agriculture through hands-on learning.
In addition to growing plants, students developed floral design skills by creating bouquets and boutonnieres, giving them a chance to explore another side of the agriculture industry. They also traveled to Plant Perfect in Bismarck, where they selected flowers and plants for the school’s playground garden. The field trip allowed students to apply what they had learned in the greenhouse while making decisions about which plants would thrive in the space.
The project gave students practical experience with planting, plant care, hydroponic systems, water testing, propagation, and greenhouse management. Just as importantly, it helped restore an important learning space that will continue to serve agriculture students for years to come.
The plants grown through the project will also leave a lasting impact beyond the classroom. Flowers and other greenery selected by students will be planted in the school’s playground garden, creating a welcoming space for students, staff, and community members to enjoy.
Through the Ag in the Classroom Mini Grant Program, the ND FFA Foundation and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture continue to support projects that connect students with agriculture in meaningful ways. By providing opportunities to learn through experience, projects like this help students develop practical skills, explore agricultural careers, and discover new interests that will continue to grow well beyond the classroom.
