In the Fall of 2023, Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) received funding, through the Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program, to provide agricultural resources to teachers and their classrooms through the “Educating through Specialty Crop Crates” program.

Through this grant, DEFB developed the “Educating through Specialty Crop Crates” program, which aims to educate elementary-aged students on the various specialty crops that are grown and produced in Delaware.

DEFB, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA), will be promoting specialty crops, while educating students on the importance of agriculture and healthy eating. By introducing students to various specialty crops at a young age, they will be more willing to try new fruits and vegetables and develop healthier eating habits. 

“The ‘Educating through Specialty Crop Crates’ program is essential to increasing the awareness of specialty crops, especially amongst our youngest consumers,” DEFB Marketing Coordinator Mikayla Paul said. “Due to the lack of farmland around some of these students, they are unaware of where their food comes from and how it is grown. This program will create early exposure to Delaware agriculture and demonstrate how agriculture touches all of our lives.”

Elementary school teachers are encouraged to apply to receive a specialty crop crate for their classroom. Each crate is full of various hands-on activities, lesson plans and other specialty crop related educational materials that can be utilized in the classroom.

To learn more and to apply for a specialty crop crate, visitwww.defb.org . The deadline to apply is June 30th, 2024. 

Funding for the “Educating through Specialty Crop Crates” program was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the author’s and do not necessarily represent the official views of USDA.

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