By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Teachers can gain recognition from the state’s largest farm and ranch organization by sowing the seeds of agricultural knowledge.

Each year, Texas Farm Bureau (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.

“Teachers bring agriculture to life in the classroom in creative and engaging ways,” said Jordan Bartels, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Educational Outreach. “Texas Farm Bureau wants to recognize and reward teachers who go above and beyond in the classroom. Their efforts are critical to connecting agriculture to the subjects students learn about each day.”

A county Farm Bureau must nominate the teacher.

Certified teachers who actively teach agriculture in PK-12 grade classrooms are eligible for the award. They can teach any subject or content area, apart from vocational agriculture.

Learning activities may include, but are not limited to, an understanding of agriculture’s impact on personal lives, the environment, national security and the economy. Innovative and interdisciplinary programs are encouraged.

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.

Applications are due Oct. 2 and must be submitted via email to edoutreach@txfb.org.

All nominations will be evaluated by a panel of judges familiar with agriculture, education and the Ag in the Classroom initiative.

The winning teacher will receive a $600 cash award, as well as an expense-paid trip to attend the 2023 TFB Annual Meeting in Frisco Dec. 1-3 and the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference next summer. The nominating county Farm Bureau also will receive a $400 cash award.

Download the application here.

Visit texasfarmbureau.org/aitc for more information about Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award. Contact Bartels at edoutreach@txfb.org or 254-751-2569 with questions.

Learn more about the 2022 winner.