What This Grant Funds

Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom (VAITC), a program of the Virginia Farm Bureau, awards small educator grants every year to PK-12 teachers across Virginia. Awards go up to $500 per project and fund classroom activities that connect students to agriculture, food systems, and where their food comes from. Past funded projects have included aquaponics systems, learning gardens, farm-to-table investigations, and STEM integrations that use sensors and data collection in agricultural settings. The grant is designed to be accessible -- any Virginia PK-12 educator can apply online, no school-level administration required. The next deadline is October 13, 2026.

Who Can Apply

Any Virginia PK-12 educator -- teachers, librarians, instructional coaches, and curriculum specialists -- can apply. There is no minimum school size, district approval, or organizational requirement. This is one of the few Virginia grants that an individual classroom teacher can access directly without going through division administration. Projects must connect student learning to agriculture and food systems in some way; purely technology-focused projects without an agriculture connection are not a fit.

How to Apply

Apply online at virginia.agclassroom.org/teachers/grants/ by October 13, 2026. The online application asks for a project description, a list of materials and budget, and an explanation of how your project connects to agriculture and food systems. Applications are reviewed by VAITC staff. Grant awards are typically announced and distributed before the end of the calendar year, so funded projects can launch in the spring semester.

Funding Amount

Awards are up to $500 per project. This is a small grant by design -- it is built for individual classroom projects, not division-wide programs. Funds can be used for materials, supplies, and equipment directly tied to the approved project. There is no match requirement and no reporting burden beyond a final project summary submitted to VAITC after the project is complete.

How Forward Education Products Qualify

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Grants in Virginia?

Any Virginia PK-12 educator can apply individually. No district approval or organizational requirement is needed. Projects must connect student learning to agriculture or food systems.

How much funding is available through Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Grants?

Up to $500 per project. This is a classroom-level grant designed for individual teachers. There is no match requirement.

Can Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Grant funds be used for STEM and coding tools?

Yes, if the tools are used in a project with a clear agriculture connection. Sensor kits, environmental monitoring tools, or data collection equipment framed around smart farming, school gardens, or food systems can qualify.

How do Virginia educators apply for Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Grants?

Apply online at virginia.agclassroom.org/teachers/grants/ by October 13, 2026. The application is straightforward and takes most teachers about 30 minutes to complete.

How can Forward Education help with Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Grant funding?

Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for Virginia schools. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Grants fund. Contact us before submitting your application.