By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

A workshop hosted by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) provided educational resources and youth program information to agricultural science teachers to help them prepare for the upcoming school year.

TFB hosted the workshop, “Texas Farm Bureau: Lesson Plans, Resources, & Student Programs, Oh My!” during the annual Ag Teachers Association of Texas (ATAT) Conference in Dallas.

“TFB’s Educational Outreach and Youth Outreach programs provide numerous resources for teachers to take advantage of in their classroom and to help their students,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said. “We made connections with teachers we haven’t worked with before and reminded others who are familiar with our programs just how much we have to offer them and their students.”

TFB also exhibited a booth in the trade show during the conference, showcasing the resources and various programs from the organization that bring ag literacy to the classroom, including the Agriculture in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix, Ag Connection publications and professional development opportunities.

“Teachers were really drawn in by the resources we had on display, and that led to discussions about how specific programs can be leveraged in their classrooms and how TFB youth programs can bolster their student’s learning outside their ag science classroom,” Bush said.

Engaging with teachers across the state helps equip teachers with tools to help students make a connection to agriculture.

Teachers also learned about opportunities they can share with their students, like scholarships, the Speak Out For Agriculture Challenge and the Student Success Series and affiliated AgVentures Challenge.

A top priority for TFB’s Education Outreach and Youth Outreach is connecting with educators and students. Attending conferences like ATAT help make that happen.

“It’s imperative that we share our programs and resources with agricultural science teachers. Many times, these folks are the biggest advocates for their students to participate in our programs and for their peers and counterparts in primary education to take advantage of all Farm Bureau has to offer,” Bush said. “When that passion for TFB’s programs and resources turns into students developing a strong understanding of where their food, fiber, and fuel comes from, we’re accomplishing the organization’s mission.” Bush said.

For more information on Ag in the Classroom materials, visit texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.

For more information on youth opportunities, visit texasfarmbureau.org/youth/youth-opportunities.