FAITC Teacher Grant

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Description

Statement of Intent:

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s Teacher Grant program is dedicated to supporting innovative classroom projects that educate Florida students about the vital role of agriculture. The program aims to foster a deeper understanding of agricultural systems and careers by encouraging meaningful connections between students and local agricultural producers and professionals.

Eligible Applicants:

Certified Florida teachers engaged in classroom instruction at the pre-kindergarten through 12th grade levels who integrate agricultural concepts into their curriculum. 

 Grant Requirements:

  • Agricultural concepts & student involvement are required.
  • FAITC/AITC materials must be included. If these materials are not being used a justification as to why they are not being incorporated must be included.
  • To access Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s resources, visit https://www.faitc.org/resources. To access National Agriculture in the Classroom’s Curriculum Matrix visit https://floridamatrix.agclassroom.org/matrix/ . If your project does not have FAITC/AITC curriculum, explain the education piece in your application.
  • Photo/Video Documentation that shows the location of the project must be included. A drawing on an image or a 5 minute or less video is recommended for clarification.
  • At least one Florida farmer or agriculture industry representative must be involved.
  • A letter of support from a school administrator on school letter head with signature must be included in the application. Your application will automatically be disqualified if this is not included. 
  • Teachers must complete pre and post evaluations and include the results in the final report. These will vary depending on grade level. There are sample tests with most of our lessons in our three school garden curriculums, but you can create your own assessments.
  • Community involvement in the project is encouraged (this is over and above the local farmer or ag industry representative stated above).

Timeline:

  • All proposals must be submitted on reviewr by September 30, 2026.
  • FAITC will announce grant recipients by email by the middle of October 2026.
  • Progress Report due December 18, 2026.  

 

    Rules

    Funding Guidelines:

    • Transportation will only be considered in situations where a justifiable need is demonstrated in the application.
    • Grant funding cannot go towards salaries or similar compensation.
    • The amount requested can be no larger than $4,000 for first time applicants, and $2,000 for projects that have been funded in the past by FAITC.
    • Grant money cannot be used for consumables unless the food items are an integral part of the lesson plan and project.
    • The first half of the funds are paid up front, and the other half is paid when the progress report is submitted in December.
    • Grant checks will be made payable to the school, not to an individual.
    • Final report must be submitted by the deadline or future grant requests automatically will be denied.

    General application helpful hints:  

    • Description and Purpose: The description is the “what and how” and the purpose is the “why”.
    • Word count is minimum, not maximum.
    • Please check your grammar and use capitalized letters and punctuation as needed.
    • SMART Goals – For this school year!! Please use online resources if you have never written a SMART goal before. 
      • List at least three goals, preferably more, that would like to accomplish this school year during this project.
      • Your goal needs to be specific, focus on one thing per goal. Your goal needs to be measurable, tell us how you will measure this and by how much you want it to grow. Is this growth that you are measuring a reasonable ask in one school year? Your goals should only be related to the garden project. And when would you like this goal to be completed by? Make sure that this is within the school year.
      • Please use online resources if you have never written a SMART goal before. 
    • Budget
      • You must used attachment provided, you will download it, fill it out and attach it to your proposal. 
      • List each item you wish to purchase for the project, put a price per item and how many of each item you would like to purchase.
      • Do not be general with your items.
        • Incorrect: General: Plants = $20
        • Correct: Itemized & detailed: Tomato plants at $3.25 x 4 plants = $13
        • Incorrect: General: Tools = $50
        • Correct: Itemized & detailed: Trowels at $5.75 x 25 = $143.75
      • Your project may only be partially funded. Your budget must be clear enough for the committee to decide if the project is still possible if only partial funding is possible. 
      • Your school should be tax exempt, if so, do not include tax in your budget.
      • State what the item will be used for, it must tie into your project description.
      • Make sure your total budget is the same as the amount requested on the first page of your application.

    Timeline

    • You must used attachment provided, you will download it, fill it out and attach it to your proposal. 
    • It must be detailed and include the project work and the educational component.
    • A detailed timeline shows FAITC that you have thoroughly thought through the entire project.
    • Include what you will do each month to ensure the project’s success. We understand some months will have more tasks than others.

    Grant Rubric: 100 points possible.

    • Project Description and Purpose: 20 Points
      • Up to 20 points will be given based on the ability to effectively convey your project’s why, what and how.
    • Measurable Outcomes (SMART Goals): 20 Points
      • Up to 20 points will be given based on realistic, attainable, and challenging goals related to the project’s purpose. Goals can be qualitative and quantitative.
    • Timeline: 20 Points
      • Up to 20 points will be given based on the detail given in the timeline.
    • Budget: 20 Points
      • Up to 20 points will be given based on the details given in the budget.
    • Creativity and innovation in the project’s ability to address Florida agriculture: 10 Points
      • Up to 10 points awarded.
    • Educational standards addressed: 10 Points
      • Up to 10 points awarded.