By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Workshops held this summer helped Texas teachers broaden their knowledge of agriculture and how they can connect it to their classrooms with hands-on activities.

The Summer Ag Academies, hosted by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), equip teachers with practical experiences in agriculture-related concepts and provide free resources they can take home and apply to their classrooms.

This year’s sessions took place in Brenham, Stephenville and Canyon and covered various topics, including animal fibers, horticulture and beef cattle.

“Teachers who attend leave with knowledge learned from the site visits, along with the awareness of where to find curriculum and resources that will help them incorporate agriculture into their classrooms,” said Jordan Bartels, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Educational Outreach. “Teachers also leave with a new appreciation for how to relate agriculture to the subjects they’re already teaching in their classrooms—science, social studies, math, STEM and so much more.”

Site visits were also part of the Summer Ag Academies and allowed teachers to see agriculture in action.

“Summer Ag Academies are unique because they are hands-on and offer teachers an opportunity to step foot onto a farm or ranch or visit an agricultural business to learn more about agriculture,” Bartels said.

Teachers received curriculum that is aligned with Texas teaching standards to help them better incorporate the materials and agriculture in the classroom. They each took home a variety of resources, including a Cotton’s Journey Kit and other TFB classroom resources.

More than 40 teachers participated in the Summer Ag Academies this year and have the potential to impact over 10,000 students, helping cultivate a better understanding of agriculture in the next generation.

TFB has hosted professional development events in the summer to help equip Texas teachers to make the connection with agriculture in their classrooms for over 25 years.

For more information about educational opportunities for teachers and Ag in the Classroom activities, visit texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.