The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded a Michigan conservation organization a grant for more than $50,000 to educate students and local farmers about how agriculture and water health combine.
The EPA gave a grant totaling $53,645 to the Kent Conservation District in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for their “Connecting Urban and Rural Agricultural Stewardship” project. The project will educate both rural and urban students about agricultural and urban runoff and the ways it impacts the Lower Grand River watershed.
Kent Conservation District will work with middle school students from both rural and urban schools, according to Jessie Schulte, the district manager for Kent Conservation District. The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is working to identify the urban schools that will be involved in the project.
Students will visit nearby Plainsong Farm to learn about sustainable farming and participate in hands-on activities. They will also visit the Van Andel Educational Institute to perform water quality analysis and learn about watersheds. One of the main goals of the program is to encourage students to learn about how agricultural practices intertwine with and affect water quality.
“A lot of students are losing connection to where their food comes from,” said Schulte.
Students will have the opportunity to learn about soil quality, as well.
“Addressing nutrients in our waterways is a top priority for EPA,” said Region 5 Administrator Cathy Stepp in a statement from the EPA. “We are proud to support organizations like Kent Conservation District in their efforts to connect students and the agriculture community around this critical issue.”
The project also aims to engage with agricultural producers in the area to encourage sustainable practices and raise awareness for two comprised watersheds — the Indian Mill Creek watershed and the Rogue River watershed.
Schulte said the program wants to reach beyond just the students to raise awareness and educate community members.
“We’re really hoping some of the students will speak to their parents,” she said. “We’re hoping it will be multi-generational.”
Although there is no specific date set yet, Schulte said the program is expected to launch next spring.
– – –
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
