USA - MICHIGAN: Ubly FFA Receives Glassbrook Grant to Expand Hands-On Agriculture Learning
By Jhyrah DeLapp, Staff Writer
January 20, 2026
Melissa Kramer/Courtesy Photo
The Ubly FFA Chapter was one of 11 schools awarded Glassbrook grant funding to support hands-on agricultural education. The chapter wrote a grant to purchase Tower Gardens, a vertical farming and hydroponics system, for use in the school and greenhouse.
The Michigan FFA Foundation awarded a total of $30,000 in Glassbrook grants to 11 schools to support hands-on agriculture, food and natural resources education across the state.
“Glassbrook grants have provided support to schools throughout Michigan for three decades, enhancing educators’ ability to bring agriculture, food and natural resources curriculum to life for kindergarten through 12th grade students,” said Michigan FFA Foundation Executive Director Alex Schnabelrauch. “This year’s applicants embody FFA’s ‘doing to learn’ motto, striving to provide more hands on opportunities for students interested in one of our state’s largest industries.”
The Glassbrook grant recipients were selected by a subset of the Michigan FFA Foundation board of directors. The committee reviewed 25 applications, evaluating each for compatibility with Glassbrook Endowment goals, innovation, organization, clarity, program impact and project planning.
The 11 grants are expected to impact more than 2,682 students statewide.
The Ubly FFA Chapter was awarded funding to purchase Tower Gardens. Through the project, botany students will learn how to maintain water chemistry in hydroponic systems and identify plant growth processes. Upon completion, students will earn a hydroponic production certification.
Ubly’s agriscience program also plans to partner with elementary classes that teach plant science, allowing the Tower Gardens to be housed temporarily in elementary classrooms to support hands-on learning about plant growth.
During the partnership, agriscience teacher Melissa Kramer and Ubly High School students will monitor water quality and assist elementary teachers as needed to ensure successful plant growth.
Glassbrook grant funds may be used for field trips, printing educational materials, purchasing plant materials, curriculum development and equipping laboratories, greenhouses and livestock facilities. Schools will receive grant funds in the coming weeks, with projects to be completed within three years. Glassbrook grants are awarded annually, with the next application deadline set for Dec. 1, 2026.
The Michigan FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. The organization is governed by a board of directors composed of business leaders, individual donors, and FFA Alumni.
For more information about the Michigan FFA Foundation visit michiganffa.org/foundation.
Jan 20, 2026
Reporter
Jhyrah DeLapp joined the Huron Daily Tribune as a reporter in 2024.