IFB's IAA Foundation Receives Grant from DuPont Pioneer

Illinois Farm Bureau's IAA Foundation is pleased to announce that DuPont Pioneer recently presented a $25,000 grant to Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom for a new project highlighting careers in agriculture. This initiative will give students in 4^th through 8^th grades the opportunity to learn more about careers in science and agriculture. 

"Today's agriculture involves science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said IFB's Kevin Daugherty, Education Director for Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom. "There will be so many careers available to students in the future. Our goal is to help promote these careers and educational opportunities to students at a young age. Planting the seeds of careers in agriculture as a field where high tech assists a growing and changing world is exciting." 

"Reaching out to young students to teach them about the careers and opportunities in agriculture is an initiative we are proud to support through a partnership with the IAA Foundation and IAITC," said Brad Lance, Director of the Heartland Business Unit.  "As the industry continues to grow, there is a need for talented individuals and this initiative will encourage students to pursue a career in agriculture."

 "The IAA Foundation is thrilled to have renewed support from DuPont Pioneer," said Susan Moore, IAA Foundation Director.  "These dollars are going to help get a much needed new initiative off the ground, and with the significant role of Pioneer in the marketplace as an employer in the field of science and technology in agriculture, it is a perfect fit to help us kick off a focus on careers.  Funding like this has become so critical in order to keep our efforts going. I thank and commend Pioneer for making an investment that will reap benefits to agriculture for generations to come."

IAITC has a rich history of being the agriculture education resource for teachers to utilize in classrooms.  All of its lessons meet Illinois state learning standards and teachers use the program to enhance their existing curriculum. A network of county coordinators and volunteers deliver programs and materials with accurate agriculture content to teachers and children in all 102 Illinois counties. Universities and public school systems recognize the IAITC program as the source for training teachers and educating children about the importance of agriculture.

Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom is the top funding priority of the IAA Foundation, Illinois Farm Bureau's charitable foundation.  Funding from agribusiness and related industries, state government, commodity groups and individual donors helps the IAA Foundation reach its annual goals to raise funds to implement IAITC programming and provide teaching resources throughout the state of Illinois.

Pioneer makes contributions to community-based organizations on behalf of the business and employees. Consideration for outreach grants are given to communities where Pioneer representatives, employees and customers live and work and that support quality-of-life initiatives to create an improved, sustainable lifestyle for people worldwide.

DuPont Pioneer is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success™.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders, we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.