By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Registration is open for Texas teachers to sign up for Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) 2026 Summer Ag Institutes (SAI).

The four-day professional development events are designed to help teachers learn about agriculture and how to incorporate agricultural concepts in their classrooms.

“SAI is designed to help teachers grow their agricultural knowledge and better understand how it connects to what students see and experience every day,” said Jordan Bartels, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Education and Outreach. “That background enhances the work educators are already doing by helping them connect lessons to agricultural concepts.”

This year’s events will be held in two locations—Waco and DFW.

Throughout the week, participants will hear from agricultural experts and educational professionals.

The institutes will also include site visits to area farms, ranches and agricultural businesses to give the educators agricultural experiences.

Past site visits have included a honey bottling facility, row crop farms, beef cattle ranches and a hydroponics operation, among others.

“These site visits allow teachers to step outside of the classroom and experience agriculture in action,” Bartels said. “Those experiences often spark new ideas and perspectives that teachers can take back to their classrooms.”

In addition to gaining content knowledge, teachers will build relationships with fellow educators and industry experts, further growing their professional network.

“SAIs offer unique opportunities to teachers that look different than most professional developments they might have attended in the past,” she said. “Each teacher will receive free resources and leave with ideas for lessons and activities that help them easily incorporate agriculture into their classrooms.”

Participants also receive over 30 hours of continuing professional education credits authorized by the Texas Education Agency.

SAI is open to any certified, active K-12 teachers of any subject area who teach in a public school or K-12 teachers teaching in an accredited non-public elementary and secondary educational institution, as well as Education Service Center or other district educators.

The Waco SAI is set for June 8-11 at the TFB Conference and Training Center. Registration closes May 18.

The DFW SAI will be held July 14-17. Registration closes June 12.

The cost for each event is $375 per person, which includes lodging and most meals, but sponsorships from the local county Farm Bureau are often available. Teachers will be notified of their sponsorship status after registration is complete.

For more information and to register, visit texasfarmbureau.org/aitc or contact TFB’s Education team at 254.751.2258 or edoutreach@txfb.org.

Additional information on other educational opportunities can also be found at texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.