Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
December 9, 2014

Next year, Bayer CropScience, in partnership with the National FFA Organization, will provide grants to inspire interest in agriculture and apiculture professions among America’s youth. The grant program will help FFA members develop their unique talents and explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers with a focus on finding solutions that will help honey bees thrive. The program is a demonstration of Bayer’s continued commitment to engage with partners who focus on developing future STEM leaders, improving science literacy and driving bee health awareness.  

“Bayer CropScience has been a long-standing advocate of FFA and supports its mission of building the next generation of farming leaders across America,” said Dr. Becky Langer, manager of Bayer‘s Bee Care Program. “Through this new initiative, we can help inspire young people to learn more about agriculture, create innovative solutions to some of our greatest industry challenges and pave the way for the future of farming.”

"We are excited about the opportunities that this partnership will give to our members," said Molly Ball, president of National FFA Foundation. "Thanks to supporters like Bayer CropScience, FFA continues to grow future leaders in the agricultural industry."

As a special project of the National FFA Foundation, Bayer’s investment of $50,000 will go toward three types of grants: Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) grants, Environmental Chapter grants and State grants.

SAE grants
Ten SAE grants worth $1,000 each will be awarded to students proposing projects focused on bee health. These grants feature hands-on learning opportunities as students work with their agricultural teachers to plan and execute their projects.

Environmental Chapter grants
Bayer will give $20,000 in Environmental Chapter grants to support selected FFA chapters in implementing year-long, service-learning projects that address local environmental needs. Service-learning is a method of teaching and learning that challenges students to research, develop and implement solutions to identified needs in their school or community. Projects will be encouraged to focus on increasing forage by planting pollinator-friendly gardens and other pollinator-focused health initiatives.

State grants
Bayer will give $20,000 for state-specific grants focusing on improving bee health through habitat and forage.

How to apply
Environmental and state grants will be awarded in the spring of 2015 and work can begin immediately after notification. SAE grants will be awarded in fall of 2015 for activities to be conducted in 2016.

For more information about the Bayer and FFA grant program, please visit www.FFA.org. For additional information and background on Bayer and its educational programs, please visit here.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.


Bayer CropScience Twitter Page:
http://twitter.com/bayer4cropsus
http://twitter.com/bayerbeecare

Bayer Bee Health Website:
www.beehealth.bayer.us

Bayer CropScience Blog:
http://connect.bayercropscience.us
Bayer CropScience is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer CropScience representative, or visit Bayer CropScience online at www.bayercropscience.us.
 

Website: http://www.bayercropscience.us

Published: December 9, 2014