The Rowan-Salisbury School System has been announced as a finalist in this year’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Rowan-Salisbury is among the top districts in North Carolina in the running for grants of $10,000 and $25,000.

Earlier this year, farmers nominated their local public school districts to apply for Grow Rural Education grants. Once nominated, school districts were eligible to complete applications requesting funding for a specific math or science project that will enhance curriculum in their districts. This year’s applications were again very competitive. A panel of math and science educators evaluated all of the applications and selected the strongest submissions as finalists.

“Making it to this stage of the process is a great accomplishment that requires a lot time and effort,” said Michelle Insco, Monsanto Fund program officer. “There is still more to do before we announce our winning school districts, but this year’s finalists submitted impressive applications. The Monsanto Fund is grateful for their focus on improving math and science opportunities for their students.”

Next, finalist applications will be reviewed by the Grow Rural Education Farmer Advisory Council. The advisory council, made up of farmers from across the United States, will select this year’s winners, who will be announced in early August.

Last year, Grow Rural Education awarded $55,000 to public school districts across North Carolina to improve math and science education. Since 2012, North Carolina school districts have received $140,000 through the program.

Projects funded over the last four years have helped school districts across the U.S. upgrade technology and scientific lab equipment, build greenhouses and outdoor classroom learning environments, update teacher and curriculum development and complete other math and science related initiatives.