By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist
Agricultural science teachers gathered in Corpus Christi the last week in July at the Ag Teachers Association of Texas (ATAT) Conference.
Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) hosted a workshop and tours on July 25. The free “Be in the Know with Texas Farm Bureau” workshop provided new lesson plans, hosted industry experts and a tour of a local gin and the Texas A&M AgriLife Center.
“They saw what happens to the cotton after it leaves the field during the ginning process. We then went over to the Corpus Christi AgriLife Experiment Station where we visited with an extension professional,” McKenna Bush, TFB youth outreach coordinator, said.
There, the teachers learned more about current experiments at the experimentation station, how they collect data, the future impacts of the research and the technology they use, specifically drones.
After the tours, a producer panel discussed how to bridge gaps in skills between education and industry.
“We had a producer panel consisting of former TFB State Director Scott Frazier and two farmers local to the area,” she said. “They talked with teachers about what they look for in individuals who want to work on the farm and learn the kind of skills that they see lacking.”
In addition to the panel, the workshop included presentations and lesson plans on cotton and agricultural advocacy.
After the lesson plan presentations, Tracy Tomascik, TFB associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities, discussed hot topics in agriculture.
“The workshop showcased ways Farm Bureau can be a resource to agriscience teachers and how they can be a supporter of Texas Farm Bureau programming,” Bush said. “We discussed how they can use our resources in their classroom and encourage other teachers outside of agriculture to get involved with Texas Farm Bureau.”
TFB exhibited a booth in the trade show during the ATAT Conference, showcasing the resources and various programs available through the organization.
“Farm Bureau is trying to grow leaders and informed consumers who can help tell agriculture’s story and the role that agriculture plays in everything we do,” Bush said. “This workshop helped build those connections with Farm Bureau staff, local farmers and industry professionals to help teachers increase agricultural literacy among their students across the state.”
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.