By Julie Tomascik
Editor

This spring, young students across Texas visited farms and ranches from their classrooms and homes through Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Farm From School program.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade met virtually with farmers and ranchers once a month using video conferencing technology.

More than 550 teachers and 12,600 students from home school, virtual and classroom settings connected with farmers and ranchers each month through the program.

During the monthly video meetings, the students got to know each farmer or rancher, learned about their operations and asked lots of questions along the way.

“Students learned a variety of things associated with the commodity that is featured each month,” said Jordan Bartels, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Educational Outreach. “More specifically, they learned about the science behind plant growth, technology used in agriculture, the needs of livestock and how they’re cared for and other unique aspects of agriculture.”

But even more importantly, students get to learn from real farmers and ranchers.

“Bringing agriculture to the classroom is so vital, and it is important that we’re constantly finding a variety of ways to do that in a way that can reach all students,” Bartels said. “Virtual visits allow students in all parts of the state to learn about agricultural commodities that might not be grown or raised where they live.”

This semester, the students learned about hydroponic farms, Angora goats, planting and beef cattle.

“This program continues to grow each semester. It’s become very apparent that teachers and students like having the opportunity to see things they can’t easily see during the school year,” Bartels said. “While they might have one opportunity at an Ag Day or other field trips, this program offers multiple opportunities to see crops and livestock and to engage with different types of farmers and ranchers.”

TFB also provides corresponding materials and resources that teachers can use to help relate the visits to concepts they’re teaching in the classroom.

The popular program will be back again this fall, and teachers can begin registering later this month. Sign up will close Aug. 29.

Visit texasfarmbureau.org/aitc for more information and the latest announcements on TFB’s Ag in the Classroom activities.