Farmamerica awarded $3,000 grant

Jessica Rollins accepted a grant for $3,000 on behalf of Farmamerica for “ag career exploration,” during the Waseca Area Foundations annual awards banquet in November. Each spring more than 500 students grades 7-9 from schools throughout Waseca County attend a career exhibit day at Farmamerica. Students rotate throughout six different learning stations, all centered around agriculture. Prior to the trip students partake in a career survey to “get interests flowing.” 

“No matter what their interests are, whatever they may be, there is a connection to agriculture,” executive director Jessica Rollins said. “It’s important for students to get their first touch point at the junior high level… Students might get that first taste and think, “‘maybe I should stay in the community I grew up in.’’’ The funding from this grant allows this program to be free for the 500 plus students attending. The bussing to and from the program is also covered through scholarships, so students at Waseca, JWP, NRHEG, or Trinity in Janesville, don’t have to worry about that additional cost either. “It’s really cool to see this support,” Rollins concluded.