Sandy Dorn - Lincoln
Sandy Dorn and her 4th grade students at Meadowlane Elementary School in Lincoln have been involved in the Ag Pen Pal Program for many years and have used the Learning Barn. Other students in her school are interested in the books that are in the Learning Barn, so Sandy wanted to share agriculture books with other students. She applied for the mini-grant to purchase agriculture books for the school media center. This was a great way to spread the word about agriculture through the purchase of books and DVD's. To let the teachers in her school know that the books and DVD's were available to them, she organized a Books, Bagels and Beverages celebration for the teachers to attend and see the new resources in the media center.

Angela Holdren - Omaha
Angela Holdren, a 1st grade teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Omaha wanted her students to experience a working farm. Her grant enabled the students to participate in a 1 1/2 hour farm program to learn about animals, crops and equipment. The students were able to be up close and personal with the animals, crops and equipment. The students used their 5 senses to experience all the sights, sounds, smells, touch and feel all the farm had to offer them. The students discussed the similarities and differences between rural and urban communities throughout the year. These students are involved in the Ag Pen Pal Program and shared these experiences with their Ag Pen Pal family. Many of the state standards are met through the field trip, Ag Pen Pal Program and the Learning Barn.

Julie Walling - Omaha
Julie Walling's focus on Soil Conservation to Present Erosion was the theme for her mini-grant. Her 5th grade students at Crestridge Magnet Center in Omaha wanted to learn the effects of one type of soil conservation technique against wind and water erosion in agriculture. Small groups of students worked together to set up a mini-farm with no conservation practices to show what wind and water would do to the farm. The next step was to incorporate conservation practices on their farm to see if this practice would cut down on wind and water erosion. The students took before and after photos to show the results of their science experiment.

Carma Weisbrook - Kimball
Carma Weisbrook's project will involve her students at Mary Lynch Elementary School in Kimball with the local FFA Chapter. The FFA students will share their knowledge of agriculture with Carma's 5th grade students. With the grant money, the FFA students will celebrate National Agriculture Week with the elementary students by reading books and other organized educational activities. During this week-long celebration nutritious snacks that correlate with the books/activities will be share with all the students. The main goal of the FFA student's participation in National Agriculture Week with the 5th graders is for them to understand and appreciate that farmers and ranchers produce the food that's on their table.

Erin Rathe - Ashland/Greenwood
Erin Rathe and her 4th grade students at Ashland/Greenwood are interested in the Science of Agriculture. Many of the students were not aware that science plays a role in a farmer's job. Erin used the science of agriculture to meet State Science Standards. Her students were amazed to learn all the science concepts related to agriculture. One of the experiments showed how farmers can reduce and conserve the amount of water needed to grow plants during droughts. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Erin's students will learn how important science concepts play a role in producing their food.