Educating through Specialty Crop Crates

In the Fall of 2023, Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) received funding, through the Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program, to provide agricultural resources to teachers and their classrooms through the “Educating through Specialty Crop Crates” program. Through this grant, DEFB developed the “Educating through Specialty Crop Crates” program, which aims to educate elementary-aged students on the various specialty crops that are grown and produced in Delaware. DEFB, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA), will be promoting specialty crops, while educating students on the importance of agriculture and healthy eating. By introducing students to various specialty crops at a young age, they will be more willing to try new fruits and vegetables and develop healthier eating habits.

Elementary school teachers are encouraged to apply to receive a specialty crop crate for their classroom. There are only 50 crates available. Each crate is full of various hands-on activities, lesson plans and other specialty crop related educational materials that can be utilized in the classroom. 

Elementary school teachers interested in applying should complete the application form below. The deadline to apply is June 30th, 2024. if you have any questions, please refer to the FAQ section below.

Funding for the “Educating through Specialty Crop Crates” program was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the author’s and do not necessarily represent the official views of USDA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Each Specialty Crop Crate will offer enough materials for 30 students. Please find below a list of what is included in the crate:

  • Living necklace activity kit using cucumber seeds
  • Parts of a strawberry plant poster
  • Ag accurate book of the year for 2024 – “I Love Strawberries” and educator guide
  • What is a fruit and what is a vegetable bulletin board displays
  • Farming in a glove activity kit using sweet corn seeds
  • “The Fruits We Eat” book
  • “The Vegetables We Eat” book
  • Ag-mags that focus on various specialty crops
  • “Where Does It Grow” card deck
  • a USB drive that contains PDF copies of all lesson plans, handouts, worksheets and answer guides, and links to additional resources

*Crates and materials could vary depending on what is available.

If you are a lucky teacher to receive one of the 50 Specialty Crop Crates, you are responsible for implementing the crate within your classroom for the 2024-2025 school year and utilize the resources included in the crate. You are also required to participate in the survey(s) associated with this campaign so the Delaware Farm Bureau can measure how effective and successful the campaign is, as well as report back to Delaware Department of Agriculture and USDA.

The deadline to submit your application is June 30, 2024.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact Mikayla Paul at mikayla.paul@defb.org of by calling the Delaware Farm Bureau state office at (302) 697-3183.