LOCAL

Highland Agriculture program receives grant

Staff Writer
Journal Standard
The Highland Community College Agriculture Program recently received the Growing Agricultural Science Teachers grant funded by the Illinois State Board of Education. Pictured: Leland Houzenga, a Highland agriculture ambassador, teaches fifth-grade students about crop science.

FREEPORT — The Highland Community College Agriculture Program recently received the Growing Agricultural Science Teachers grant funded by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Highland will receive $25,000 per year for three years to recruit, educate and retain high school agriculture teachers. The money will also fund the Agricultural Education High School Internship and Highland Agriculture Ambassador programs.

The internship program will provide high school students with paid internships with their local high school agriculture teacher. The money will also be used to fund FFA meetings and events.

The ambassador program will lead HCC agriculture students in education-related activities, including visits to area high schools, workshops at FFA leadership events, campus tours and academic advising.

The grant will also fund tuition scholarships for students interested in taking the Introduction to Agricultural Education class.

For information: 815-599-3637; highland.edu.