2025-26 George Holder Agriculture Awareness Grant

The Holder family is excited to honor the legacy of George E. Holder by supporting teachers who bring agriculture to life in McLean County classrooms. George, a proud McLean County native and University of Illinois graduate (Class of 1927), dedicated his life to farming and innovation. From starting his family farm in the 1930s to his lifelong passion for advancements like corn hybridization, George embodied the spirit of curiosity and progress in agriculture. Alongside his wife, Elizabeth, he built a legacy rooted in hard work, learning, and a love of farming.

To celebrate that legacy, the Holder family foundation created this instructional grant to help teachers spark agricultural awareness and curiosity in students. Each year, McLean County teachers are awarded funds to bring hands-on, creative gardening projects into classrooms, schools, and neighborhoods—continuing George and Elizabeth’s vision of inspiring the next generation.

Grant Opportunities: This year, the George E. Holder Agriculture Awareness Grant will be awarded to teachers who will use the funds to promote intentional gardening in one of the following categories:

Pollinator Gardens
Sensory Gardens
Rain Gardens
Food Accessibility:
- Food Forest
- Gardening with Season Extenders
- Production
- Edible Landscaping

*Other options will be considered as long as the project is within a similar purpose as the list provided above.

Application Process: To apply for this grant, a K-12 McLean County teacher must submit a proposal using this online application to outline the type of garden chosen, a supply list needed for the garden, who the garden will serve, and how it will serve those people. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on October 12, 2025. Winners of the grant will be notified by Monday, November 3, 2025, and recognized at the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Ag Breakfast that will take place in March 2026. Details for the breakfast will be sent to grant recipients in early 2026.

Expectations of the Holder Grant: The grant recipient is expected to provide the following:

Receipts for purchases made up to the amount awarded
An impact statement demonstrating the impact of the grant funding
5 pictures to illustrate the project
Completed demographic form sent to you by Extension
Signed photo releases for students in the pictures sent

Please note that this grant is given as a reimbursement of the funds approved in the grant proposal. Reimbursement will be sent based on the submission of all items listed above. Please note that tax may not be reimbursed.

As always, thank you for your dedication to promoting agriculture and the educational development of youth.

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Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

In your own words, please answer the following questions.

What grade level do you teach? This grant is available for K-12 McLean teachers

Which McLean County school do you teach at?

Total Amount Requested. You may request up to $1000.

Which category will you choose for this gardening project: Pollinator, Sensory, Rain, Food Accessibility or other? If you choose 'other,' please specify the type of gardening project you are proposing.

Who will you serve with this gardening project? Please indicate those who will benefit from the garden and explain how this garden will benefit them.

What resources/materials do you need for your proposed garden project? Provide a bulleted list of resources/materials required for the project.

What will students know after this project is complete? (Ex: Students will know the reality and importance of food accessibility to our community.)

What skill will students achieve during this project? (Ex: Students will be able to cultivate and sustain a garden that provides food to the community.)

How do you plan to sustain this gardening project after this year?

Civil Rights Compliance - Participant Info

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.

Gender

Ethnicity

Race