Grant helps Pekin with ag education

PACKWOOD ? Pekin Community School District?s ag science program aims to educate through hands-on experience, and to help with that education, the Williamsburg Monsanto site nominated Pekin for an $8,000 grant.

The district was presented an $8,000 donation from the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, Oct. 28 at a school assembly in the Pekin Community High School. 

The grant will be used to purchase laboratory equipment, including hardware that will interface with students? laptops, sensory equipment, temperature sensors and daily usage items such as beakers and cylinders.

?I am very excited about receiving this grant both professionally and personally,? said Laurie Bennett, Pekin Community School District curriculum director. ?Our school and community have strong agricultural ties, so being awarded this grant will help strengthen the educational opportunities for our students.? 

Matt Brenneman, Monsanto side lead, also was excited to play a part in the donation.

?This is an excellent use of funding to support local agricultural education,? Brenneman said. ?Pekin schools have been steering their curriculum toward agriculture education, so this grant will help them take the students to the next level.?

The grant is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund, which is focused on strengthening farming communities, as well as the communities where Monsanto?s employees live and work.