Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom
Mini-Grant
Statement of Intent/Grant Application Criteria
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. (MAC, Inc.) is part of a national effort committed to fostering awareness and education about the importance of agriculture. In Massachusetts, over the past sixteen years, MAC, Inc. has grown to a statewide program reaching teachers and educators at all grade levels through workshops, a newsletter, agricultural resource guides and our mini-grant program.
Some Major Goals of MAC, Inc. Are:
- to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the food, fiber and ornamental agricultural enterprise as a user and supplier of resources essential to survival
- to increase understanding of the contributions of agriculture in Massachusetts to the people of this state, the nation and the world.
- to identify current issues relative to the consumption and use of food, fiber and ornamental agriculture and the need to maintain a sustainable agricultural system.
Goals of the Mini-Grant Program:
The goals of the Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom mini-grant program are to encourage education programs that:
- to develop materials and methods that demonstrate the scientific principles involved in growing food, fiber and ornamentals.to promote an understanding of the problems that growers encounter when producing their products.to give students hands-on experience of good agricultural practices.to use agriculture examples to demonstrate problem-solving techniques.
- to focus on creative ideas to expand knowledge of agricultural literacy in/out of the classroom.
Premise on Which Our Goals are Built:
- Agriculture is a vital enterprise for it provides the food we eat and provides many materials that give us shelter.
- Agriculture is dependent upon many natural resources, such as land, water, air and energy. The competition for these resources is increasing with increasing development.
- Agriculture depends more and more on science and technology.
- We must learn how to conserve our natural resources and encourage our agricultural industry in order to maintain a plentiful and healthy food supply.
Concerns of Mass Agriculture Industry:
- Massachusetts farmers face world wide competition, especially due to NAFTA, which has increased imports from Mexico & Canada.
- Many areas of Massachusetts' agricultural industry demand great technical and scientific knowledge (for example - biotechnology).
- Massachusetts farmers must comply with more and more regulations each year.
- Massachusetts agriculture faces more and more competition for natural resources.
- Massachusetts agriculture receives less and less support from the Federal Government.
Mini-Grant Application:
To promote these objectives, we ask educators who have similar concerns about agriculture to submit a mini-grant proposal using the criteria listed below. Proposed grants should foster a respect for the lifestyle of farming and/or should help bring an awareness of what it takes to bring food to the table, produce fiber crops and ornamental crops with an understanding of agriculture as a major consideration. Grant proposals should also include an explanation of collaborative efforts and how local support for the project has been included in planning.
General Information:
MAC, Inc. awards mini-grants three times each year to teachers, schools and farms working in collaboration with schools. Projects that share a common goal with MAC, Inc. are funded up to $1500. Since 1994, MAC, Inc. has awarded nearly $250,000 to 175 diverse agricultural literacy projects such as reading programs that focus on agricultural themes, projects to explore new technologies in agriculture, agricultural video projects, school-wide agricultural days, farm visits and more. Money for this effort has been raised by local farmers and business supporters who understand the importance of agriculture awareness and agricultural literacy.
Cost-sharing and or collaborative ventures are strongly encouraged. We encourage publicity of the project in your local press, and ask that you submit copies of the news articles in the final report. MAC, Inc. does not fund application requests for the purpose of buying computers or other such equipment, salary, funding for interns or expenses that would be otherwise normally incurred.
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom is a small-nonprofit organization. We try to fund projects that most closely fit our mission. Mini-grant proposal should be submitted by Massachusetts teachers, schools or farms working with schools. because our funds are small and we wish to stay as close to our mission as possible, we do not fund gardening or beautification projects, salaries or honorariums or computer equipment.
All projects must be completed within 12 months of the beginning of the first month following receipt of the grant. Every component of the application criteria must be complied with clearly and must be received by the deadline, in order for the application to be considered. Five copies must be provided. Mini-grants proposals must be submitted by mail to arrive by the April 1, September 1 and November 1 deadline. No faxed or e-mailed proposals will be accepted.
Mini Grant Application Criteria:
A) Include a project abstract of not more than 150 words, which includes project title; name, address and phone number of applicant; and amount requested.
B) The proposal shall be no more than two pages in length, single sided, and written in
narrative form, closely adhering to the guidelines below:
- What is the project title?
- Who is responsible for the project and the grant money? (What school or farm will receive the funds.)
- When will the project begin and when will it be completed? Submit a project time line.
- Who are the other co-sponsors?
- What is the objective of the project?
- Have the needs for this project been identified?
- We look for development work that connects to the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.
- With what part of the curriculum frameworks
- does the project most closely fit?
- What qualifies you to succeed with this project?
- How does the project address the goals of MAC, Inc. and the goals of the Mini-grant Program?
- Describe how the project promotes a better understanding of agriculture and farming. How does it promote an understanding of the role of farmers today in terms of the 21s century?
- What tangible "product" will be the result of a successful project?
- How do you plan, step-by-step, to proceed with and work toward completion of the project?
- Whom does the project benefit? We look for a multiplier effect. What is the number of students and what age level will be reached by this project?
C) A one-page budget must be attached which answers the following two questions.
- What is the total cost of the project?
- What is the total amount of the grant requested?
Suggested Budget format:
- Total cost of project, total request and matching money obtained from other sources.
- Itemized list of personnel and non-personnel expenses.
- Three columns across the page should show:
1) requested dollars
2) in-kind or matching dollars
3) total project dollars and how each will be spent.
ALL GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO:
- Provide a written project evaluation upon completion of the project
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Use the MAC, Inc. logo on all publicity announcements
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Provide a descriptive summary of the project upon completion
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Include the statement "Program funded in cooperation with Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom" on all project documents.
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Provide copies of curriculum designed (or used), if applicable
- Provide photographs or other audio visual materials, if applicable.
To be considered for the April , September or November Funding Cycle, all grant requests must be received by mail or in person by the first of the month in which they are being reviewed: April 1, September 1 or November 1, respectively. no faxed or e-mailed proposals will be submitted. A proposal abstract and five copies of the proposal must be included in order to be considered for the funding cycle.
The Mini-Grant Committee Will review all grants and make funding decisions within three weeks of the deadline date. Grant applicants will be notified within one month of the Committee Meeting date.
On acceptance of the proposed project, grant recipients will receive 60% of the grant award. Once the final report has been submitted to the Mini-Grant Committee, the balance of 40% of the grant award will be mailed.
Each mini-grant award-winning project will be assigned a Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom board member liaison, who will visit the project site and assist as needed.
For more information about Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom or our programs:
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