Georgia Agribusiness Council
Dr. Joe B. Crane Memorial
Classroom Grant Program

Scroll down to see other winning projects

Ms. Raegan Dillon
Georgetown Elementary School
Savannah, Georgia

Eddie Kinnard of GAC presenting grant check to Ms. Raegan Dillon, Georgetown Elementary science teacher and her class.

"Egg"-traordinary Encore: Chickens

Students continued the project started in 2003 to further study the lifecycle of chickens and the poultry industry. They will keep journals and create a video of their project.

600 students; 
Grades Pre Kindergarten - 5

Ms. Charlotte Phillips
D. D. Crawford Primary School
Tennille, Georgia

Jay Thorne of GAC presenting grant check to teachers and administration
at D. D. Crawford Primary School.

“Rain, Rain, Come Our Way:

Students will identify the needs of plants for proper growth and understand the impact or water in the cycle of production.  In addition, they will grow foods they find in their homes and in stores and learn the responsibility and challenges to food production. 

73 students; 
Kindergarten

Mr. Scott Thompson
East Coweta High School
Sharpsburg, Georgia

Experimental Gardens:

Students will use scientific method to conduct soil quality and plant growth studies. Study micronutrient components of fertilizer while overseeing the production of various plant types in an outdoor classroom. 

 80 students; 
Grades 9 - 12

Ms. Raegan Dillon
Georgetown Elementary School
Savannah, Georgia

Paul Riddle of GAC presenting grant check to Ms. Raegan Dillon, Georgetown Elementary science teacher and grant writer. Next to Raegan is Ms. Freida Porzio, Principal Georgetown Elementary. Behind is Ms. Dillon's "Egg"-traordinary class. The students baked a cake to say thanks!

“Egg”-traordinary Introduction to Agriculture:

Students will observe the life cycle of a chicken. In addition to studying the life cycle, students will learn about economic/business issues that impact poultry production. These include the resources needed to produce chickens and the cost of production.

600 students; 
Grades Pre Kindergarten - 5

Dr. James Corbett
Lowndes High School
Valdosta, Georgia

Pictured from left to right:   Dr. Steve Smith, Lowndes County School Superintendent; Bryan Tolar & Dr. Joe B. Crane of the Georgia Agribusiness Council; State Representative Ellis Black; Dr. James Corbett, Teacher and grant winner; Mr. Wes Taylor, Lowndes High School Principal; Lindsay Player, student who assisted with grant application; Mr. Bruce Crook, Lowndes High School Assistant Principal & Vocational Supervisor.

Teaching Food Science at Lowndes High School:

Students will see and understand the relevance of basic science as it relates to agriculture and their daily lives. It will also let them explore careers in a very fast growing food service industry. The project objectives include food safety practices, demonstration of food preservation skills, as well as career and post-secondary training options in food science. Students will receive written exams and hands-on projects to evaluate their understanding of these practices.

80 students; 
Grades 9 - 12

Mr. Steve Rich
New Manchester Elementary School
Douglasville, Georgia

Pictured from left to right:   Mr. Steve Rich, Teacher & Grant Winner, Ms. Carolyn Anderson, Principal,  and Bryan Tolar of the Georgia Agribusiness Council.

Agribusiness - From Field to Table:

Students will plant seeds in the garden section of the school’s outdoor classroom. Students will receive pre and post project exams to measure their knowledge of agricultural production. In addition, students will research production practices and examine the resources of the Farmers & Consumers Market Bulletin published by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Ms. Lanita McDuffie & Ms. Pam Mathis
Sandersville Elementary School
Sandersville, Georgia

(top photo) Paul Riddle of the Georgia Agribusiness Council presented the grant check to Ms. Lanita McDuffie, teacher. Behind are local project supporters L-R: Larry Smith, Sidney Law, GAC Member and County Extension agent, David McMaster, and Ms. Pam Mathis, teacher. (bottom photo) A happy class from Sandersville Elementary School.

Soil Skills at Sandersville Elementary:

Students will learn about the vegetable production and the importance of soil sampling and garden preparation. Students will work with County Extension Agent Sidney Law and Master Gardener Sheilah Claxton for expertise in this project. Pre and post project exams will also be administered to measure their knowledge of agricultural production.

52 students; 
Grade 5

Ms. Raena J. Harwell
Walter F. White Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia

(top photo) Pictured from left to right:   Ms. Paulette Bolton, Principal, Ms. Raena J. Harwell, Teacher, two project leadership students, and Bryan Tolar of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. (bottom photo) The class of students that will develop the garden project.

Creating a Community Garden:

Students will plan a garden area and plant a variety of food plots and landscape plants. Students will study plant production practices such as planting times and soil conditions.

25 students; 
Grades 4 - 5

Ms. Margaret Smart
Dade Middle School
Trenton, Georgia

Pictured from left to right: GAC's Bryan Tolar, Ms. Karen de Marchè, Assistant Principal, Ms. Rebecca Adams, Science teacher, and Mr. Bill Baisley of the Georgia Agribusiness Council.

The Importance of Soil:

The project objectives include studying the impact agriculture has on the United States food supply and that of foreign countries, learning how to cultivate a crop using soil conservation practices, and understanding the role of fertilizer and composting in plant production.

75 students; 
8th Grade

Ms. Diane Ellerbee
Due West Elementary School
Marietta, Georgia

Pictured from left to right: (front row) Bryan Tolar of the GAC, students Cole Pugh, Ali Olhausen, Caroline Paulsen and Alex Thornhill. (back row)Mr. David Bridges, Cobb County Grants Manager, Ms. Shirley Jergel, School Principal, and Ms. Dianne Ellerbee, teacher.

Field of Georgia Crops:

The project objectives include understanding agricultural production and the role of agribusiness in Georgia’s economy, studying the impacts of fertilizer and soil conditioning to produce healthy crops, learning where crops are grown in the state, and discovering the nutritional values of these crops for our health.

91 students; 
3rd Grade

Ms. Michele Parmer
Early County High School
Blakely, Georgia

Paul Riddle of the GAC presents check to Michele Parmer. Also pictured are Ms. Parmer's Horticulture & Nursery Landscape Class, Early County School Superintendent Dr. Tom McCullough, School Principal Kenneth Hall, and Vocational Director Sonny Magahee.

Identify It, Propagate It, Grow It, Record It, Sell It:

The class will identify 20 types of plants used in Georgia landscape industry, propagate these varieties, establish a nursery and landscape agribusiness and then sell the plants they have produced.

Approximately 200 students;
 Grades 9-12

Mr. Eric Dixon
Sumter County Schools
Americus, Georgia

 
Paul Riddle of the GAC presents check to Ms. Victoria Harris, Sumter County High School Principal. Also pictured (l-r) are FFA Advisor Eric Dixon, Sumter County Vocational Advisor Dr, Wanda Curry, FFA President Bobby Barthrell, Adam Deriso, Amanda Deriso, and Bridgett Cooper.

Fresh Water Shrimp Propagation:

The project will allow students to study the life cycles of shrimp as they grow in aquariums established by the students. All grade levels will have an opportunity to experience the project and learn how shrimp are produced. Students will also study the feasibility of growing shrimp as a Georgia agricultural commodity.

Approximately 850 students; 
Grades K - 12

Mr. David Hyslip
Twiggs County Middle School
Jeffersonville, Georgia

GAC's Paul Riddle presented the check to teacher David Hyslip along with the school's Agricultural and Science Exploratory Program class. 

My Grass is Green:

The students will establish a small scale sod farm production operation at the school. In doing so, students will learn about soil nutrients, measurements, fertilizers, and the business of sod production.

Ms. Kelly Walls
Banks County Middle School
Homer, Georgia

GAC's Bryan Tolar with teacher Kelly Walls and her student Cameron.		Ms. Walls students made this banner to thank the GAC.

Harvesting Knowledge Through Investigation:

Students will grow a garden while studying the impacts of biotechnology and science on agriculture. They will study and measure various environmental elements, such as temperature and rainfall, and how they impact plant production These findings will be compared with local and state crop production data.

45 students; 
Grades 6 – 8

Mr. Rusty Oliver
Columbus High School
Columbus, Georgia

Columbus High School Principal Susan Bryant and teacher Rusty Oliver 
with GAC's Bryan Tolar.

Habitat Analysis in Environmental Science:

Provide hands-on forestry experience working with GPS units, topographic maps, and a compass for students to develop a comprehensive habitat analysis for the surveyed area.

62 students; 
Grades 9 –10

Mr. Dennis W. Gay
Lincoln County High School
Lincolnton, Georgia

GAC's Bryan Tolar with FFA student Bruce Freeland 
and teacher Dennis Gay.

Bobwhite Quail Production and Reintroduction:

Develop an understanding of the Bobwhite Quail habitat and the importance of habitat conservation, preservation and development. Activities will reinforce math, science and language arts skills.

28 students, plus over 50 ag education students;
 Grades 9-12

Mrs. Laura Ferguson
Mount Bethel Elementary School
Marietta, Georgia

Mrs. Ferguson's Cyberbees

See their online project at: 
 http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/lferguson/agribusinessgrant.htm 

Georgia Agribusiness Comes to the Worldwide Web in Cobb County Classrooms:

To enhance the knowledge of urban area students regarding the importance of agriculture in the economic development of Georgia. Aids in the development of computer and technology skills by developing a project website and hope this experience will serve as a model for other classes and schools.

28 students; 
Grade 5

Mrs. Annette Wise
Plains High School
Plains, Georgia

(Front L - R) GAC's Bryan Tolar, Jimmy Carter National Historic Site Instructional Specialist Annette Wise, Georgia State Senator George Hooks, and School Superintendent Robert Clay with County FFA Teacher Eric Dixon (back left), county FFA students and National Park Service personnel at the boyhood farm of President Carter.

Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm Heirloom Garden Project:

Students will learn about agribusinesses that support the role of the farmer while studying the story of President Carter’s experience on the farm. Explore the numerous changes in agricultural production, including the high tech tools used in food production today.

Mr. Joe Green
Pope High School
Marietta, Georgia

Pope High School Principal Charolette Stowers, Horticulture Instructor Joe Green, 
with GAC's Bryan Tolar.

Pope High School’s Mad Growing Project:

Students will create and manage their own greenhouse production company. Includes propagation of numerous varieties of ornamental landscaping plants and requires the development of marketing and sales planning.

Ms. Kim Hooks
Swainsboro Primary School
Swainsboro, Georgia

(L-R) GAC's Bryan Tolar with teacher Kim Hooks, Georgia State Representative Butch Parrish, FFA students helping with barn construction, teacher Shari Watt and some students that will be participating in the barn activities.

The barn is nearly complete and will house livestock for students to study.

School Barnyard:

Students will learn various aspects of agriculture, including: how traits are passed from parent to offspring in animal production; how milk is processed for food products; how animal compost can be used to grow crops; how to grow plants from a seed, and more.

Lithia Springs High School

"Wheelchair Accessible Gardening" 

Lithia Springs Comprehensive High School receives $500 grant check.

(L-R back: Alisa Tucker, Para Pro; Kathy Adams, student; Jennifer Stephens, student; Roxanna Hicks, Master Gardener/Volunteer; Detavis Burdette, student; Claudia Beaty, Teacher & Applicant; Jerry Davis, Principal; Bryan Tolar, GAC. L-R front: Students Jessica Springer, Megan Nungester, and Holly Hicks.) 

Lithia Springs Comprehensive High School - The "Wheelchair Accessible Gardening" program will provide physically handicapped students in grades 11 – 12 the chance to participate in agricultural production practices that are currently unavailable given their physical condition.

Odum Elementary School

"From a Seed to the Table" 

GAC Board member Roy Herrington of Thompson Farm Supply in Baxley (back right) presented the grant check to School Principal Peggy Stovall (back left) and Teacher Jill Harris (back center) along with the whole kindergarten class.

Odum Elementary School - The "From a Seed to the Table" project will target Kindergarten students, teaching them about growing and harvesting vegetables.

Swainsboro Elementary School &
Swainsboro Primary School

"School Barnyard"

Bryan Tolar of the GAC staff presented the grant check to teachers Kim Hooks (left) and Shari Watt (right).

Swainsboro Elementary School and Swainsboro Primary School - The "School Barnyard" project will cover a variety of agricultural areas for children K - 5, including production of crops and livestock, animal waste composting, and dairy production.

Tattnall County High School

"Presenting Paulownia"

School Principal James M. Brown and agriculture class instructors were on hand to receive their $500 grant check for the project submitted by Ag Teacher Matthew Hendley.

(L-R: Don Crumpler, Young Farmer Instructor; James M. Brown, Principal; Bryan Tolar, GAC Services Representative; and Nathan Pool; Ag Teacher - Ag Teacher Matthew Hendley not pictured)

Tattnall County High School - "Presenting Paulownia" is a project for students in grades 9 – 12 that focuses on the computer tracking and production skills of the timber industry.