December 2015

Happy Holidays from Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom!

Agricultural Literacy - An agriculturally literate person understands and can communicate the value of agriculture as it affects their quality of life. 

Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) would like to thank the educational and agricultural professionals who have helped us grow agricultural literacy during 2015!  We are extremely proud of the positive impact we are making and thank the more than 70 agricultural businesses and organizations that financially support the MAITC Foundation.   As we celebrate and reflect on thirty years of MAITC, we recognize the important credibility that has been established within the state’s education community.  However, it is looking forward to the next thirty years that is truly exciting!  We hope YOU are part of our efforts to continue to build agricultural literacy in 2016 and beyond!

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Featured Teachers: Minnesota Farm Bureau Members

MAITC was excited to partner with Farm Bureau members attending the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Annual Meeting November 19-21 in Bloomington. The Farm Bureau leaders worked with first, third and fourth graders in Poplar Bridge Elementary and Washburn Elementary Schools in Bloomington. The 24 leaders read “How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World” and conducted activities using MAITC's educational resources to help students gain a better understanding of agriculture. The Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation sponsored classroom book donations and apples for the project.

Ag Literacy Grants Due January 1st

The MAITC Foundation is excited to offer Ag Literacy Grants (max of $1000) to K-12 educators to encourage them to bring agriculture and food systems education “to life”.  MAITC aims to fund projects that provide students the opportunity to experience agriculture in a cross-curricular manner. Applications are due January 1, 2016.

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Save The Date! Schoolyard Garden Conference March 4, 2016

Schoolyard gardens provide a hands-on opportunity for students to meet academic standards, engage with community partners, learn about agriculture, healthy eating and connect with natural systems. Whether you are a beginner or schoolyard garden veteran, join us in March to learn innovative strategies for creating and sustaining a thriving schoolyard garden.

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Fantastic Resources

AgMag and AgMag Jr. website If you haven't explored www.mnagmag.org what are you waiting for?!  Check out the student focused activities based on the AgMag and AgMag Jr. magazine series as well as the educator resources today!

FARMLAND film and lesson plans The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance is excited to share four lesson plans that connect with the Farmland film content at www.discoveringfarmland.com. The science and social studies-based lesson plans were created in partnership with Discovery Education. The film and lessons provide high school students, educators and parents with standards-aligned lesson plans and interactive activities that explore concepts such as sustainability, technology, and science.

Agriculture Trivia

Congratulations to Tom Rothman for being the first person to respond with the correct answer to our November trivia question.  Tom knew that Minnesota leads the nation in turkey production. The top eight responders were Carrie Allord, Pat Tax, Doug Jones, Juanita Reed-Boniface, Maureen Hauck, Julie Miller-Hays and Dawn Johnson. 

December Trivia - The first person to email the correct answer for the question below will win a stocking hat from the Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Alliance (MAGE).

How many trees do Minnesota Christmas tree farmers market (sell) each year?

Email you answer to Sue Knott to be eligible for the prize!