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| Eligibility |
Mini-grants are offered to PARISH FARM BUREAUS on a competitive basis. Parishes MUST have an ACTIVE AITC PARISH CHAIR whose name has been submitted to the State Office.
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| Guidelines |
- Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $500 and limited to one per parish per year.
- Grant checks will be made payable to the parish Farm Bureau, not an individual.
- The intent of the AITC MINI-GRANT program is to build ON-GOING capacity by funding items that can be used repeatedly such as: hoes, shovels, easels, cork boards, games, microscopes, posters, magnifying glasses; etc. Funding is NOT AVAILABLE for mileage, transportation, meals, seeds, plants or any other ONE-TIME CONSUMABLES. If in doubt, contact your Parish AITC Chair.
- USE of Louisiana AITC materials is encouraged and should be mentioned in the application and in the final report.
- Projects CANNOT include a petting zoo, and personification of animals is discouraged. Animals should be portrayed in their normal roles in the food and fiber system.
- Evidence must be shown of the parish Farm Bureau involvement in the project.
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| Timeline |
- Deadline for submission of Mini-Grant applications is May 1, 2025.
- Award winners will be notified by letter no later than July 1, 2025. Award winners will receive the first installment payment at that time.
- The grant program is effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
- An interim progress report MUST be submitted postmarked or emailed no later than December 15, 2025.
- Project final reports must be postmarked by May 1st, 2026.
- Final payment will be made upon completion of the project and submission of final report.
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| Management and Reporting |
- Half of the grant money will be paid upon the grant being awarded and the other half will be paid when the project is completed and the final report is submitted.
- Grant checks not cashed within 60 days of receipt will become null and void.
- An interim progress report MUST be submitted postmarked or emailed no later than December 15, 2025.
- Copies of all materials in printable format must be submitted with the final report to Louisiana Ag in the Classroom.
- The final report must include original receipts and an itemized list of expenditures and in-kind contributions.
- The final report should include the number of students and/or teachers actually reached and the number of parish Farm Bureau members that participated.
- A minimum of five pictures depicting the progress and outcomes of the grant project.
- Photo release forms for all individuals in photos must be included.
- Each Mini-Grant award winning project will be assigned a Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Committee member liaison.
- The liaison will assess the progress of the project.
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| Judging Criteria |
The program should:
- Demonstrate the ability to increase student understanding of Louisiana agriculture.
- Demonstrate innovative programs.
- Address new issues facing agriculture.
- Increase agricultural awareness.
- Include a statement of need.
- Include Louisiana AITC materials.
- Include a budget.
- Include a timeline.
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| Selection Criteria |
A committee composed of Farm Bureau and AITC leaders with a working knowledge of agriculture and/or education programs will evaluate the applications. All applications must be for agricultural literacy programs and not farm safety issues.
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| Format for Proposals |
- Proposals must be typed in at least 12-point font.
- Must be limited to the four page application form.
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| Deadline |
| Signed applications should be submitted by May 1, 2025.
Submission of SIGNED entry form:
- Print the PDF application that you received in your confirmation email
- Sign where indicated for applicant(s)
- Have your parish president sign where indicated
- Email your signed form to Lynda Danos at lyndad@lfbf.org
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