Ag on the Move Program Launches
Fundraising Effort for New Mobile
Ag Ed Science Lab
Becky Walton
The Ag on the Move Program, sponsored
by the West Virginia Farm Bureau Foundation,
provides West Virginia elementary school
students an opportunity to participate in
agriculture-related science experiments in a
unique learning laboratory. Today’s elementary
students are 2-4 generations removed from
the farm, and many of them have no idea how
agriculture touches their lives on a daily basis.
The program’s goal is to teach young students
the importance of agriculture. Without farmers
and agriculture, life as we know it would not
exist. Farm Bureau believes the lab provides a
valuable resource for schools and the curriculum
helps introduce and reinforce science subject
matter that may not be available to students
otherwise.
Since the inception of the program in 2008,
the current Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab has
logged thousands of miles, visiting over 160
elementary schools in 45 counties throughout
the Mountain State. The lab teachers have
introduced agricultural concepts and taught
almost 100,000 lessons to students. Although
the ‘face’ of the program is West Virginia Farm
Bureau, the Ag on the Move Program falls under
the umbrella of the WVFB Foundation, which is
a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The program
has been very fortunate to have the support of
many individuals, groups and businesses which
have given tax-deductible donations, enabling
the lab to remain on the road for the past seven
years. The current lab has been well cared
for, and has exceeded its predicted lifespan.
However, like any other vehicle, it is showing
signs of wear and tear from all of the use it has
received over the years.
So, it is time to purchase a new Mobile Ag
Ed Science Lab if the program is to continue,
and your help is needed. The Ag on the Move
Program is starting fundraising efforts to raise
$100,000 to purchase a new mobile lab to
replace the current one. If you are interested
in contributing to this fundraising effort, you can
donate in several ways: mail a check to the
West Virginia Farm Bureau Foundation at 62
Farm Bureau Road, Buckhannon, WV 26201,
and write ‘Mobile Lab’ on the memo line; call
our office at 800-398-4630 and use your credit
card to donate; or go online to our website and
make a secure donation at www.wvfarm.org.
All donations are tax-deductible. There are
a number of levels of recognition for donors.
Donors of $5000 or more will be recognized on
the outside of the lab. This will serve as a ‘rolling
billboard’ for those businesses, organizations
and individuals. Gifts of $1000- $4999 will be
recognized on a permanent plaque on the inside
of the laboratory. And contributions of $100 $999 will be recognized on the inside of the lab
on our ‘giving tree’.
No gift is too small. Donations are like seeds
when planting a garden…even the smallest can
turn into bountiful crops. Any and all support
that you can give to help put a new lab on the
road is welcome. If you have any questions
about the Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab or giving a
tax-deductible donation, please don’t hesitate
to call Mark Riggleman, Coordinator, at 304472-2080, ext: 313 or Becky Walton, Asst.
Coordinator at 304-472-2080, ext: 311.
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 17