JAY — More than $50,00 in Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Grants will be awarded this year. The funding was made possible through agriculture license plate sales.

Jay Middle School has been selected to receive $4,600 and is one of 21 agricultural education projects across Maine to receive funding generated by the plate sales. The middle school will complete the interior construction of the school’s new geodesic dome greenhouse and will provide funding for students to raise vegetables for the school’s nutrition program.

Students will learn about sustainability, renewable energy and agriculture as they grow fresh food for their own cafeteria. The dome is a permaculture facility, capable of growing crops year round, even during Maine’s harsh winters.

Grant applications were received in 2010 totaling more than $100,000 in funding requested. Individual awards range from $500 to $4,600. Grants were awarded to programs statewide through a competitive grant process. Other local programs receiving funding were programs at Henry L. Cottrell School, Monmouth; Leavitt Area High School, Turner; the Wilton Free Public Library; and Winthrop schools.

Applications for the 2011 grant program will be available on the website, www.maineagintheclassroom.org, in January of 2011.

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