Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To award up to one cooperative agreement to:
1. Ensure that future generations are agriculturally literate;
2. Encourage K-12 educators to integrate information about the food and agricultural system across curricula to assist students in understanding the pivotal role of agriculture in the U.S. and world economies, to introduce students to environmental and social issues impacting food, agricultural, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences and to expose them to higher education and career opportunities in the FANH sciences; and
3. Support a network of partners to carry out the program at the State and local levels, by fostering the development of active and effective AITC programs in each of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United States, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
- U.S. Federal Government
- Department/Agency of U.S. State
- Nonprofit Organization
- Not-for-Profit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Within the limit of funds authorized, the NIFA awarding official will make grants to responsible and eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The date specified by the NIFA awarding official as the effective date of the grant must be no later than September 30 of the federal fiscal year in which the project is approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose, unless otherwise permitted by law. The project need not be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon thereafter as practical so that project goals may be attained within the funded project period.
Program details & compliance
Description
The disciplines of agriculture and education have been related for much of our nation’s history. When most Americans lived on farms or in small towns, students often did farm chores before and after school. Old schoolbooks have numerous agricultural references. As the farming population began to decline, agricultural emphasis decreased in educational materials as well. NIFA’s Agriculture in the Classroom Program (AITC) serves nearly 5 million students and 60,000 teachers annually through workshops, conferences, field trips, farm tours, and other educational activities. The AITC program works in partnership with state AITC organizations and support activities engaged in a variety of issues relating to agricultural literacy in rural and urban America.
Mission Categories
Primary: Marketing Opportunities
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funds may be used only for the purpose for which they are granted in accordance with the approved application and budget, regulations, terms and conditions of the award, applicable federal cost principles, USDA assistance regulations, and NIFA General Awards Administration Provisions, 7 CFR Part 3430, subparts A through E.
Restrictions
Legislative mandated Indirect Cost (IDC):
In the case of cooperative agreements with non-profits and institutions of Higher Education, Section 704 of the FY2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. P.L. 117-328 applies. “No funds appropriated by this Act may be used to pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements or similar arrangements between the United States Department of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent of the total direct cost of the agreement when the purpose of such cooperative arrangements is to carry out programs of mutual interest between the two parties.”
For other eligible entities, 7 U.S.C. 3310(a) limits indirect costs for the overall award to 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA) under a research, education, or extension grant.
Required Documentation
Applicants (unless excepted under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) must (1): Have an active SAM registration prior to applying; (2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier number in its application; and (3) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an application under consideration or an active federal award. Applicants must furnish the information required in the Notice of Funding Opportunity(NOFO). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements