By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Teachers’ efforts to plant seeds of knowledge about agriculture can earn them recognition from the state’s largest farm and ranch organization.
Each year, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) awards one teacher the Agriculture in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award.
This award is presented to the teacher for their innovative, multi-disciplined and continued efforts to teach students about the importance of agriculture.
“Teachers bring agriculture to life in the classroom in creative and engaging ways,” said Jordan Walker, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Educational Outreach. “Texas Farm Bureau wants to recognize and reward those teachers who go above and beyond in the classroom to increase the agricultural literacy of their students.”
A county Farm Bureau must nominate the teacher.
Certified teachers who actively teach about agriculture in PK-12 grade classrooms are eligible for the award. They can teach any subject or content area, with the exception of vocational agriculture.
Learning activities may include, but are not limited to, an understanding of agriculture’s impact on personal lives, the environment, national security and the economy. Innovative and interdisciplinary programs are encouraged.
Previous winners of the award are not eligible.
Teachers who have been previously nominated but weren’t selected may be nominated again.
Interested teachers who qualify can contact their county Farm Bureau office to learn more about being nominated.
The application is due at noon on Sept. 20.
All nominations will be evaluated by a panel of judges familiar with agriculture, education and the Ag in the Classroom initiative.
The winning teacher will receive a $600 cash award, as well as an expense-paid trip to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in New York next summer. The nominating county Farm Bureau also will receive a $400 cash award.
Download the application here.
Click here for more information about Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award. Contact Walker at edoutreach@txfb.org or 254-751-2569 with questions.