By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Food and farm myths are abundant online and in the classroom, but Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) school visit program seeks to dispel those myths by bringing agriculture to life in the classroom.

“Agriculture has a place in all classrooms and teaching styles,” Jordan Walker, TFB director of Educational Outreach, said. “Through the school visits, both teachers and students are exposed to agricultural concepts that are tied to the course, whether it’s reading, science or social studies.”

The mobile program strives to reconnect students in kindergarten through eighth grade with the farmers and ranchers who grow their food, fiber and fuel.

Presenters, who are trained by TFB staff, are placed throughout the various regions of the state to meet the growing demand for agricultural education in classrooms.

“Agriculture is a mystery for so many students and even for the teachers,” Walker said. “These school visits are part of Farm Bureau’s educational outreach efforts to increase agricultural awareness and make learning about agriculture fun. The presenters are excited and engaged. They’re knowledgeable about agriculture, and they can really elevate the learning experience for the students.”

The program curriculum for each grade is aligned with Texas teaching standards, which helps teachers incorporate the concepts into their classrooms, Walker said.

There are four lesson plans available.

The “Planting the Seed” lesson plan connects classroom concepts to agriculture through a science-based curriculum.

The lesson is geared toward students in second through fifth grade. Urban and rural students become farmers as they plant a seed in a cup. Throughout the remainder of the year, the students water their seeds and care for the plants, giving them a better understanding of the care and attention farmers give their crops.

“Who Grew My Soup” is a reading and writing curriculum for second through fifth grade. It highlights who grows the different vegetables that go into their favorite soups.

A social studies lesson, “Mapping Out Texas Agriculture: Regions, Economics and History,” shows students in second through seventh grade the diversity of the agricultural areas in the Lone Star State.

A careers lesson, “Investigating Agriculture Careers: Not Just Sows, Cows and Plows,” is available for eighth graders. The lesson highlights the many possible career paths within agriculture.

The students are also able to “meet” a farmer through short videos, which show farmers who grow corn, cotton, wheat, strawberries, sesame and more.

“Each school visit allows us to bring agriculture to life for those students,” Walker said. “We plant the seed of agricultural literacy during that visit. We also have additional lesson plans for teachers to help expand on those agricultural concepts to cultivate a better understanding of agriculture, as well as the subject matter they’re teaching.”

The program, now in its sixth year, made 571 visits and reached more than 51,100 students in 2019.

Walker hopes to connect with more students this year.

“Each school visit allows us to bring agriculture to more classrooms,” she said. “We want to make sure students know how broad and diverse agriculture is, as well as how it affects them every day.”

Schools can sign up for a visit here.

For more information, visit www.texasfarmbureau.org/aitc or contact Walker at edoutreach@txfb.org or 254.751.2569.