El Monte Middle School has been awarded a $100,000 grant from AgWest Farm Credit, marking a significant boost for agricultural education in the heart of one of the world's premier agricultural regions. This generous donation will fund a state-of-the-art greenhouse science lab for El Monte Middle School students to elevate hands-on learning in plant and soil science and enhance the middle school agricultural program. The grant is part of AgWest's commitment to rural community stewardship that aims to address challenges and create opportunities for rural communities.
District Director of College and Career, Lisa Castillo, who wrote the grant proposal, emphasized the transformative potential of this funding. "This grant will provide our students and staff with an outdoor science lab, offering hands-on experiences in plant and soil science experiments, as well as water propagation techniques for both agricultural and ornamental plants," Castillo explained.
The benefits of this new facility will extend beyond the classroom. Castillo envisions a community-oriented approach, "We hope to donate some of our students' harvest to our local senior citizen center and families within our Cutler-Orosi communities."
Superintendent Yolanda Valdez expressed enthusiasm about the project's potential, particularly praising the work of El Monte Middle School's agriculture teacher, Mrs. Pennebaker. "She has been doing extraordinary work growing [crops] without having the right facilities...I can't imagine what she is going to do having the appropriate facilities," Valdez stated. She humorously added, "I know this because I have come to taste the salsa!"
The district extends its gratitude to all key individuals who contributed to securing this grant. Their collective efforts have paved the way for enhanced educational opportunities and potential economic growth in the community.
Watch the donation presentation: