By Julie Tomascik
Editor
To help Texas teachers explore avenues to establish and fund school gardens and learn how they align with classroom concepts, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) is hosting a Virtual Teacher Ag Academy.
The free, one-hour event is set for 4:15-5:15 p.m. on Sept. 21.
Click here to register by Sept. 17.
“The goal of this Virtual Teacher Ag Academy is to expose teachers to ways that a garden can be started, how it can be sustained financially and how TEKS-aligned concepts and topics are taught in the garden,” said Jordan Walker, TFB associate director of Organization, Educational Outreach.
Teachers who want to start a garden, as well as those who have already established a garden, are encouraged to participate.
“Although we will discuss how to start a garden, much of the conversation and information shared will focus on how to incorporate TEKS-aligned materials and sustain the garden project financially through various ideas and resources,” Walker said. “School gardens are a great opportunity to get students involved in the tangible production of food. They are not just learning theoretically. They’re actually getting involved in caring for the crops growing in the garden.”
Marth McLeod, who teaches science to third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, will share how she uses her garden for classroom education and how she continues to uniquely fund it. Through the school garden, McLeod’s students help grow vegetables, study pollinators and birds and participate in many hands-on activities.
Walker also will provide information about TFB’s Learning From the Ground Up Garden Grant program, which was created to support teachers and schools as they educate students about the sources of their food, fiber and fuel.
Qualifying projects under the garden grant program should provide students with hands-on, experimental 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 they are used to teach youth about food production.
Grants may be requested from TFB for up to $500, and Walker noted 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, community partners and a detailed budget with estimated expenses.
Applications must be submitted by noon on Oct. 22. Click here to submit an application.
Learn more about the Virtual Teacher Ag Academy, TFB’s garden grant program and other opportunities for teachers on the Ag in the Classroom webpage.