Indiana 4-H and FFA programs have received funding from Indiana Farm Bureau through the annual Ag Literacy Challenge Grant program. Eleven grants were awarded to Indiana FFA chapters or 4-H clubs seeking monetary support for a new or enhanced ag literacy program in their community.
The grants ranged from $500 to $1,000 and will be used for programs taking place between October 2026 and August 2027. Programs must have fallen under one of the following categories to apply:
- An event that helps Hoosiers become better informed about Indiana agriculture.
- A program that fosters networking, positive relationships and education between youth and adults in agriculture.
- A program that highlights agricultural practices and policies, encouraging greater understanding and action.
The 2026 Ag Literacy Challenge Grant winners are:
- Carroll FFA –Ag in the Elementary
This program will provide an opportunity for Carroll FFA students to provide monthly agriculture education lessons to elementary students, ensuring they understand where their food comes from and the important role agriculture plays in our everyday life.
- Clinton Central FFA –Pollinators’ Garden Atrium + Butterfly Life Cycles
Clinton Central FFA Principles of Ag students will teach elementary students about the life cycle of a butterfly and role of pollinators in food production. By the end of the project, high school students will create an atrium space at the elementary school with raised garden beds of wildflowers that will serve as a pollinator’s habitat.
- Jasper, Bits ‘N Pieces 4-H Club –Growing Readers, Growing Ag: Agriculture at the Library
The purpose of this program is to increase agricultural literacy among Jasper County children and families through a youth-led library series that combines agriculture-themed books, hands-on learning experiences and connections with local 4-H members and agricultural professionals.
- Adams Central FFA –Petting Zoo and Community Open House
Similar to INFB Taste From Indiana Farms held at the Indiana State Fair, grant funds for this program will be used to purchase consumable niche products for the students to hand out to community members to show how food is produced and gets from farm to table.
- Jay County FFA –Jay County Food Day
The Jay County FFA Chapter will work closely with Chartwells Food Service to create an interactive and educational learning session at all district schools to educate students about the importance of tomatoes in production agriculture and economic impact for the state of Indiana.
- Montgomery County 4-H –Chicken Embryology
The purpose of this program is to provide early elementary youth with a hands-on opportunity to learn about how embryos grow and develop, strengthen scientific observation skills and connect classroom concepts to a real-world experience.
- Marion County, Beech Grove FFA –Career Connect
This program equips current Beech Grove Middle School students with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed career pathway choices as they prepare to enter high school. While at the National FFA Convention, students will use Career Connect exploration materials to intentionally engage with agricultural businesses, organizations and educational institutions.
- Monroe County 4-H –Children’s Farm Festival at Peden Farms
The purpose of this program is to build agricultural literacy among young students through hands-on experiences connecting Indiana food production, animals, crops and modern agricultural practices to their daily lives. Grant funds will be used to expand demonstrations on advanced agricultural technologies and introduce more in-depth, interactive sessions on modern techniques such as data driven crop-management and sustainable practices.
- Fayette County 4-H Council –Books in the Barn
The purpose of this program is to use 4-H youth and local 4-H role models to engage children in interactive, age-appropriate agricultural literacy activities that build understanding of where food comes from, sustainable agricultural practices and opportunities to become involved in youth agriculture. Grant funds will be used to provide books, hands-on activity materials and take-home resources to distribute at the Fayette County Fair.
- Rush County 4-H Council –Rush County Ag in a Bag
The purpose of this program is to increase agricultural literacy among Rush County youth and their families through hands-on, youth-led activities connecting everyday foods and products to Indiana agriculture. Participating children will receive one Rush County Ag in a Bag containing five mini agricultural literacy experiences focused on corn, soybeans, poultry, dairy and soil.
- Jefferson County, Madison FFA –From Convention to Community: Indiana Agriculture Literacy Ambassadors
The purpose of this project is to develop agricultural literacy ambassadors who will expand their understanding of Indiana agriculture through the National FFA Convention and share that knowledge with their community. Students will use an Indiana Ag Literacy Passport to document interactions and experiences and use this information to develop educational resources to share.
“FFA and 4-H play such an important role in ag education and leadership development opportunities for Indiana’s youth,” said INFB President Randy Kron. “Congratulations to our Ag Literacy Challenge Grant winners. The programs highlight a variety of Indiana agriculture and spread awareness of the importance of our industry.”
The Ag Literacy Challenge Grant is just one of the many ways INFB supports youth in agriculture throughout the year. There also are scholarships for graduating seniors and college students; Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters at Purdue, Huntington and Vincennes universities; FFA advocacy days and trainings; 4-H sponsorships and leadership development events, competitions, awards and conferences.