By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist

A Texas elementary teacher will be attending the 2018 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference this summer for her efforts to incorporate agriculture in her curriculum.

Lori Garrett, a pre-kindergarten through fourth grade teacher at Cactus Elementary in Dumas, will travel to Portland, Maine, for the conference as part of winning the 2017 Agriculture in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB).

“Teachers like Lori Garrett are such an important part of our school system and a strong voice for Texas agriculture,” Jett Mason, director of educational outreach for TFB, said. “She has gone above and beyond to include agriculture in her curriculum and that deserves recognition.”

As the Texas award recipient, Garrett receives an expense-paid trip to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference.

Garrett received a scholarship from the CHS Foundation to fund her conference registration. Garrett was one of 40 science, math, engineering and technology (STEM) teachers across the country to receive a scholarship.

“We’re happy to assist teachers who are interested in educating their students about agriculture by helping them attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference,” Nanci Lilja, president of the CHS Foundation, said. “The CHS Foundation is committed to developing agriculture leaders for life and these teachers introduce students to the industry and spark interest in agriculture careers.”

Another Texas teacher, Natalie Hansen of Palacios ISD, also received a scholarship from the CHS Foundation to attend the conference.

Garrett and Hansen will have the opportunity to learn more using agriculture in the classroom through guest speakers, breakout sessions and workshops.

“The breakout sessions and travelling workshops all have different themes,” Mason said. “Some are elementary based, some are secondary based. Most are STEM based.”

Mason said the workshops will focus on Maine agriculture, allowing the teachers to learn more about the local practices of the state and potentially take lessons back to their classroom.

The conference, which has the theme of ‘Agriculture for ME on Land and Sea,’ is set for June 27-29.