The ND FFA Foundation is dedicated to providing opportunities that foster leadership development and personal growth for FFA members across the state. It’s the core of our mission! Did you know the Foundation also provides resources for ag educators and others in the agriculture sector whose work aligns with our mission?
The Ag in the Classroom grant program is offered in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. Each year, any organization or individual may apply to receive funding for developing and conducting educational materials and programs to help young people understand the importance of agriculture in North Dakota and in their lives. The end result from the Wyndmere Ag Program’s food science project was delicious. See why below.
Program: Wyndmere Ag Program
Impact: 62 students
Purpose: Educate students about local ingredients grown in North Dakota and how to incorporate them into consumable food products.
Objectives:
- Understanding the processes involved in making consumable food products.
- Recognize how food and fiber are essential components of agriculture.
- Learn about the various products that can be made from milk and wheat.
- Acknowledge the availability and quality of local ingredients in North Dakota.
- Gain insight into the Farm-To-Table movement.
- Develop skills in crafting and tasting a homemade products.
Funds from the Ag in the Classroom grant were used to purchase new food science equipment for the Oakes’ Products and Processing class. The equipment included a pasta machine, bread kits, silicone forms for beeswax, soap-making supplies, cheese-making kits, candy chemistry kits, new pots and pans, and knives.
This lab-based course, designed for juniors and seniors, was so successful in its initial semester-long format that it was extended to a yearlong course, necessitating additional labs and equipment. With the new resources, the curriculum was expanded to include cereal science, biofuels, enhanced bee and honey units, fiber science, dairy science, and candy chemistry labs.
While 12 students are enrolled in the class, the grant’s impact extended to over 62 students, including those participating in an “Ag in the Classroom” event that reached more than 50 elementary students. The event was featured in the News Monitor newspaper and shared on the Wyndmere FFA social media site.
The new equipment, particularly in the pasta-making lab, allowed students to experience making and eating fresh pasta from North Dakota durum wheat, fostering an appreciation for high-quality local ingredients and teaching them to prepare various dishes independently.
