| |
(message sent to all contacts including administrators and guidance counselors)
According to this newly released study,
Employment Opportunities for College Graduates
in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources and the Environment, United States Department of Agriculture, 2020-2025.
Annual job opportunities (59,400) will far out way the number of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) graduates (36,100) resulting in a 39% shortage of graduates to fill these job vacancies.
The Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education (FCAE) project is announcing a new pilot mini-grant beginning today to improve the number of students in the AFNR pipeline.
FCAE will provide twelve grants to public schools up to $2500 for the establishment of a student organization, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) known as a Jr. MANRRS chapter for students in middle and high school. MANRRS is a national organization established to promote academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. Video and curriculum modules to learn more about MANRRS.
Click for the grant application. Due electronically by Friday, March 5, 2021. Reply to this email or contact us regionally for more information.
Eligibility
Public Illinois schools with or without an approvable agriculture program.
Application Components and Evaluation
Part 1 - Applicant Information
Part 2 – Activities & Timeline (75%) – What will be accomplished?
Suggested activities though not limited to:
-Identify a teacher, guidance counselor, administrator, or school staff member to create, organize, facilitate, and guide the student organization.
-Identify a core group of interested students to develop and market the new organization.
-Promote the new organization and activities (guest AFNR related career speakers) with students in academic classes
-Develop a meeting schedule - weekly officer meetings - monthly member meetings
-Identify organization activities with a budget for each
-Invite AFNR career individuals in-person or virtually to discuss what they do, job outlook, environment, salary, etc.
-Provide presentations on food safety, healthy eating, leadership development, creating a resume, preparing for a job, etc.
-Invite AFNR college and university speakers in-person or virtually to discuss college degree programs, college life, scholarships, etc.
-Plan and conduct field trips to agribusinesses virtually or in-person.
-Plan and conduct college and university visits virtually or in-person.
-Plan and conduct a school agriscience fair with projects, poster projects, etc.
-Plan and conduct in-person and virtual exchanges with other Jr. MANRRS organizations in Illinois and across the United States.
-Develop and conduct an AFNR advisory council of agribusiness representatives
-Conduct hands-on AFNR literacy activities at student meetings. Present these activities to K-8 students. Meet and partner with county Ag in the Classroom coordinator.
Part 3 – Budget (25%) – How efficient and effective is the funding in impacting students?
Allowable expenditures, but not limited to:
-Stipend for adult advisor or sponsor
-Transportation for events. Mileage reimbursement at current state rates($.56/mile)
-Classroom agriscience lab resources
-Outdoor garden resources (soil, seeds, plants)
-Lodging at state rates for overnight events
-Conference registration fees.
-Food (a maximum of 10% or $250, whichever is higher)
-Student clothing, portfolios, marketing resources, etc.
-Awards, plaques, certificates
Final Report
A final report is required and submitted by June 18, 2021, consisting of a narrative of accomplishments and impact, final budget, copies of invoices, names and grade level of students involved.
--
Dean Dittmar, Coordinator
Facilitating Coordination in Ag Education (FCAE)
Phone: 217-893-0091 Cell: 618-604-1622
Email: ddittmar@ILAgEd.org
Address: 3358 Big Pine Trail , Champaign, IL 61822
|
|