INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has awarded grants totaling more than $9,200 to four 4-H clubs and eight FFA chapters for new or enhanced ag literacy programs in their communities, the organization said Nov. 6.

This year, the annual Ag Literacy Challenge Grant program awarded funds ranging from $250 to $1,000, and will be used for activities taking place from October 2025 to August 2026, INFB said. The categories include events that help consumers become better informed about Indiana agriculture, or promote agricultural practices and policies or education efforts that stimulate action in the ag community.

“FFA and 4-H play such an important role in ag education and leadership development opportunities for Indiana’s youth,” Randy Kron, INFB president, said in a release. “The programs highlight a variety of Indiana agriculture and spread awareness of the importance of our industry.”

Hoosier FFA chapters and 4-H clubs could apply for grants of up to $1,000 during the grant cycle, INFB said. Grant recipients are required to submit a report to INFB after their ag literacy program is complete in addition to presenting their program to their local county farm bureau, INFB noted.

The Rensselaer Central FFA chapter in Jasper County received $800 for its Fall Harvest Meals program, according to McKenna Wilson, Rensselaer Central High School agriculture teacher. The event, which was completed Oct. 25, provided free meals to farmers during harvest.

“This idea was formulated when students put their heads together on figuring out how they could thank all of the farmers in the community with more than just a thank you card,” Wilson said. “FFA members understood that the days in the field can be long and meals are not always easy to get lined up. By preparing the harvest meals and handing them out at an easily accessible location, students knew that they could reach farmers near and far.”

Wilson said enough food was prepared for 250 meals, and more than 200 were distributed at two locations – Parr Elevator and the Jasper County Farm Bureau office.

“The remainder of the meals were given to those that helped put on the event,” she noted. “Setting up shop at the local elevator was a great success because truck drivers were able to fill their stomach and haul a box of meals back to everyone in the fields.”

This was the second year for the program. Next year, the group hopes to hand out another 200 meals, Wilson said.

This year, five students helped fix the meals early in the morning and 10 passed out meals at the pickup locations.

“These students certainly gained networking skills,” she said. “When we started, everyone was too shy to pass any meals out and by the end of the day it was a competition to see who could give out the most.

“Getting out in the community and becoming familiar with businesses is certainly an important thing for these young kids to do, which is why continuing these community outreaches are important for our FFA chapter.”

With two Ag Literacy Grants and additional support from the Elkhart County 4-H Club Council, the county’s 4-H program received $2,500 for its elementary school garden and camp program, said Corey Sharp, the county’s 4-H youth development Extension educator.

“The gardening activities provide a great experience and allow the kids to learn about plant science, gardening techniques, food supply and production systems, and entrepreneurship,” he said. “We want the kids to have a better appreciation of locally grown foods as well as the importance of our local farming community.

“The gardening activities offer students a rich, hands-on learning experience. Our goal is to help students develop a deeper appreciation for locally grown food and a better understanding of the vital role our local farming community plays.”

The next garden program will begin in January and conclude in July, Sharp said. Students will start by planting seeds and caring for their plants throughout the spring, leading into hands-on activities during summer camp, he said. The program will end with the students submitting their garden projects for judging at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.

Students at St. Vincent DePaul School and Mary Daly Elementary participated in the gardening programs this past season. Both sites used indoor greenhouses to start their plants.

St. Vincent students and volunteers built and planted three raised garden beds, Sharpe said. At Mary Daly, students created their own individual container gardens, which they took home.

The Ag Literacy Challenge program began in 2021, and evolved into its current format last year, said Annie Romine, INFB youth engagement coordinator. Over the last two years, INFB awarded nearly $19,000 to Indiana FFA chapters and 4-H clubs.