By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Agricultural science teachers can get new lesson plans, hear from industry experts and tour a local farm during Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) workshop at the Ag Teachers Association of Texas (ATAT) Conference this summer.
The free “Be in the Know with Texas Farm Bureau” workshop is set for July 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 25.
“Ag teachers will walk away with a new experience that can be incorporated into their lessons and classroom discussions, along with new lessons and knowledge about current hot topics in agriculture,” said Jordan Bartels, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Educational Outreach.
The workshop includes a half-day industry tour and a half-day interactive lecture.
The industry tour will take place at a local farm and ranch in Nueces County. Teachers will hear directly from the farmer about current trends and considerations in farming.
“Ultimately, we are trying to grow leaders and informed consumers who can help tell agriculture’s story and realize the role agriculture plays in everything we do,” Bartels said. “We believe this workshop will build connections that will help increase agriculture literacy among students across the state.”
Teachers will hear from commodity experts who will address current trends and market information.
Additional information about contests, programs and other resources will be shared, along with classroom resources designed specifically for ag teachers.
“TFB is excited to offer this opportunity to ag teachers so they can learn about the resources available from Farm Bureau as they work to increase agricultural literacy in their classrooms,” Bartels said. “Ag teachers also have the opportunity to share resources with their K-12 colleagues who teach other subjects, so the goal of the workshop is to empower and equip ag teachers to help increase agricultural literacy all throughout their districts.”
Registration closes July 8 and is limited to 100 teachers on a first-come, first-served basis. Register online at texasagteachers.org/about-conference.
Additional resources are available for agricultural science teachers at texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.