GALION — Galion Middle School received a $10,000 grant from the Grow Rural Education program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer. GMS was nominated by local farmers in and around Crawford County for the award.

Galion Middle School is just one of the many success stories of the Grow Rural Education program. For each winning school, teachers, students and, oftentimes, community members work together to make STEM programs more engaging. Galion Middle School will use the Grow Rural Education program funds to increase student opportunities to compete in Robotics Competitions around the state.

“We are incredibly grateful to the local farmers who nominated our school and Robotics club for this grant,” Robotics Club advisor Issac Keinath said. “We are using the funds to purchase needed parts and equipment to help expand our robotics club program to compete in competitions throughout the state.”

The GMS Robotics Club, which currently has more than 20 students participating, meets weekly and competes five to eight times per year. Any Middle School student who has a positive attitude and an interest in robotics or programming can be involved in the club.

Once nominated, Galion Middle School submitted a grant application that outlined how they would use the funds to enhance their students’ STEM education. A panel of qualified teachers reviewed the applications and narrowed the field to the finalists. The program’s Farmer Advisory Council, consisting of approximately 30 farmer leaders from across the country, then select the winning school districts, including Galion Middle School.

“Bayer is proud to support programs like America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, which has made such a tremendous impact in rural communities across the United States,” said Lisa Safarian, Bayer Crop Science North America. “These grants help drive awareness of career opportunities in agriculture and enhance STEM education for the students who are the next generation of our industry.”

Since Grow Rural Education began in 2011, it has awarded more than $16 million to more than 900 school districts in rural communities across the United States. To view a complete list of winners or to learn more about the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, visit GrowRuralEducation.com or follow along on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericasFarmers.