By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Next spring, classrooms across the Lone Star State are once again invited to virtually visit farms and ranches through Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Farm From School program.

Farm From School is a live, virtual visit with a farmer and rancher that is streamed in classrooms across the state. The program is open to public, private and homeschool educators in Texas who teach kindergarten through fifth grade.

“This is a unique program that connects teachers and students directly with Texas farmers and ranchers,” said Jordan Bartels, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Educational Outreach. “Students get to see what is happening in real time on farms and ranches, and they can ask questions.”

Each monthly session discusses a new agricultural commodity to help students understand how diverse agriculture is across Texas.

“Farm From School has proven to be a popular program, offering students the opportunity to learn from a real farmer or rancher without leaving the classroom,” Bartels said. “This program brings accurate agricultural information to students who otherwise might never have the opportunity to see how different crops are grown and livestock are raised.”

Past sessions gave students the opportunity to learn about dairy cattle, timber, sugarcane, quail, working dogs, hydroponics, Angora goats, Christmas trees and beef cattle. Students have also seen how farmers use technology to plant corn.

“Students today are several generations removed from agriculture. There is a need to help students understand where their food, fiber, fuel and other items they use daily come from,” she said. “Agriculture is embedded in every aspect of their lives, including the topics and concepts they learn each day.”

Classrooms will connect virtually with the farmers and ranchers once a month from February through May. Student questions are submitted via the Q&A function on the virtual platform during the visits.

TFB will provide recommended TEKS-aligned lessons, activity books and other companion resource materials for the virtual visits.

Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to promote the program to local teachers, Bartels noted.

Teachers can sign up on TFB’s Agriculture in the Classroom webpage at texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.

Sign up closes Jan. 11, 2024, for the spring semester.

Additional details about the program, including dates and crops featured, will be added online as soon as they become available.

For more information, contact Bartels at edoutreach@txfb.org or call 254-751-2569.