Ag Foundation Announces New Educator Grants Honoring Christy Lilja’s Legacy

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture announced resource grants honoring the work of long-time AFBF staff member and former foundation executive director, Christy Lilja.

The Christina Sue Lilja Resource Grants will provide 50 educators with $100 each to purchase agricultural literacy resources from the Foundation store for their classrooms. Lilja’s family established the CSL Foundation in her memory following her heroic battle with cancer in 2019. Lilja’s dedication to agricultural education lives on through the work of the Foundation and the resource grants in her name.

“There was no greater champion for the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture than Christy, and I can’t help but smile thinking of school children across this country learning more about agriculture because of her passion for agriculture,” said AFBF President and Foundation Chair Zippy Duvall. “We thank the Lilja family for their generosity, and it’s our sincere hope that we continue to do Christy proud at the Foundation as we build on the work that was so near and dear to her.”

The launch of Feeding Minds Press, a children’s book publishing venture, was among the many accomplishments of the Foundation under Lilja’s leadership.

“Our family is excited to partner with the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture,” said Rebecca McPheeters. “Through these grants, we will continue Christy’s work of leading the charge in building awareness and a positive public perspective of agriculture through educating K-12 teachers and students.”

The Christina Sue Lilja Resource Grants will be established within the White-Reinhardt Fund for Education, which is a special project of the Foundation in cooperation with the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee. It was established to honor two former chairs of that committee, Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, who were leaders in early national efforts to improve agricultural literacy.