By Julie Tomascik
Editor

The new school year brings new opportunities to grow an understanding of agriculture in Texas classrooms through several Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) programs.

“Our Agriculture in the Classroom programs bring the world of agriculture to young minds and helps students of all grades learn more about their food, fiber and fuel,” said Jordan Walker, TFB associate director of Organization, Educational Outreach. “The lesson plans, guided activities, virtual resources and classroom programs are designed to meet Texas teaching standards and connect agriculture to what students are already learning in the classroom.”

Among the resources available to teachers are the Learning from the Ground Up Garden Grant program, Farm From School program, lessons plans and short videos with companion guided activities.

Garden grant
Students can dig into agriculture through TFB’s Learning from the Ground Up Garden Grant program.

The grant was created to support schools as they teach students about the sources of their food, fiber and fuel.

Qualifying projects provide students with hands-on, experiential learning about agriculture through the funding of a new garden project or improvements to an existing garden or greenhouse. Aquaponic and hydroponic systems are eligible if they are used to teach youth about food production.

Grants may be requested from TFB for up to $500, and Walker said some county Farm Bureaus offer matching funds.

To be eligible, the applicant must be a teacher or administrator of any Texas PK-12 school, either public or private. Parent Teacher Associations or other organizations may apply when the project works directly with a specific school or classroom and engages students.

Agricultural concepts must be used in instruction. Preference will be given to projects that directly engage students in a hands-on agricultural experience. The project must be science-based in nature to receive consideration.

All applications must include a timeline of the project, a list of community partners and a detailed budget with estimated expenses.

Applications must be submitted by noon on Oct. 22.

Farm From School
Students can virtually visit farms and ranches from their classrooms through TFB’s Farm From School program.

This is the second semester for the program, which aims to show students in kindergarten through third grade the diversity of Texas agriculture.

Classes will virtually meet with Texas producers once a month from September through December. Planned dates and topics will be announced on the Ag in the Classroom webpage later this month.

Throughout the semester, students will participate in lessons incorporating agriculture and learn more about agricultural concepts introduced through the virtual meetings.

Registration for the fall semester closes at noon on Sept. 3.

Lesson plans
Agriculture can come to life in classrooms across the state, thanks to TFB’s interactive lesson plans and virtual resources.

The curriculum available online explores concepts like sustainability, technology and science. The lessons also aim to stimulate thoughtful conversations about innovations on farms and ranches, supply and demand and challenges that face agriculture.

Short videos and guided activities bring the farm to the classroom and grow a deeper understanding of agriculture.

Also available to teachers is the Agriculture in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix, which gives teachers access to over 400 lessons that incorporate agricultural concepts across all subjects and grade levels.

The lessons meet the TEKS standards set by the state.

Outstanding Ag in the Classroom Teacher application
Each year, TFB awards one teacher the Agriculture in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award.

This award is presented to the teacher for their innovative, multi-disciplined and continued efforts to teach students about the importance of agriculture.

A county Farm Bureau must nominate the teacher.

Certified teachers who actively teach about agriculture in PK-12 grade classrooms are eligible for the award. They can teach any subject or content area, with the exception of vocational agriculture. Previous winners of the award are not eligible. Teachers who have been previously nominated but weren’t selected may be nominated again.

Interested teachers who qualify can contact their county Farm Bureau office to learn more about being nominated.

The application is due Sept. 20.

Additional Resources
TFB has resources and materials available for teachers to purchase. Items include classroom sets, hardback books, bookmarks and coloring books.

More than 70 videos are available for classroom use, including harvest footage, crop-specific videos and “Meet a Farmer” videos.

Links to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization, American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and other programs can be found on TFB’s Ag in the Classroom webpage.

More information
Information on the Ag in the Classroom programs, lessons and materials, as well as the Outstanding Ag in the Classroom Teacher application, can be found online at https://texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.

For questions, contact Walker at 254.751.2569 or edoutreach@txfb.org.