Local farmers help Dexter school district win $10,000 grant

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

DEXTER, Mo. -- To feed the world's rapidly growing population and tackle many other global challenges, our country's next generation of leaders will need to be highly-skilled in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). That is why the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, awarded the Dexter R-XI School District with a $10,000 grant.

Dexter plans to use the funds to purchase high-tech probeware. The of the project is to increase student knowledge, skills, enrollment and retention in STEM classes as they engage in activities, projects and real world challenges. Students in science, math and agriculture courses will use state-of-the-art equipment to explore concepts and linkages among STEM disciplines.

Earlier this year, farmers in the Dexter community nominated the district for consideration. After the nomination, the district developed its submission to enhance its STEM education offering through maximizing efficiencies in STEM team and learning through integrated equipment.

Farmers who nominated Dexter were: Darrel Pyle, Scott Wethington, Larry Brown, Erin Brown, Eric Mouser, Pam Mouser, Tom Hampton, Jennifer Hampton, Randy Niehaus, Pearl Niehaus, Allen Rowland, Tonda Rowland, Chris Rowland, and Ron Edwards.

Next, the program's Farmer Advisory Council, which is composed of approximately 30 farmer leaders from across the country with an interest in agriculture and education, selected Dexter for one of the Grow Rural Education Grants. Grant applications were judged based on the merit of application, need and community support.

The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Program began in 2011. Since 2011, more than $11 million has been awarded to over 700 rural school districts to enhance STEM education.