September Highlights from MN Ag in the Classroom

Trouble viewing this email? View this in your browser.

MAITC Newsletter Banner 6.2.2017
State Fair activity
MAITC staff member Toni Dauwalter and her family assist fair-goers in making a native seed mix.

MAITC at the Minnesota State Fair

Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) had a great time at the Minnesota State Fair!  Thanks to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and our MAITC volunteers for assiting over 500 fair-goers in completing "make-and-take" activities focused on Ag Literacy.


Teacher Feature: Ms. Holly Dragisich

Media Specialist, Rogers Elementary STEM School, Rogers, MN

Holly Seed match lesson

How has agriculture and the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Program impacted your students and instruction? I have attended two MAITC Summer Teacher Tours that showed many different faces of agriculture and how the impact of these reach people all around the world. I like to share with my students the notion of how lucky we are to live in such a bountiful state. I’m excited to share about my experience from this summer and to work with students on at least two agricultural themed lessons at the beginning of the school year.

Why do you believe it is important for our students to be agriculturally literate? Agriculture is everywhere! How many of us take the time to consider how important agriculture is and how much it impacts our day-to-day needs? We take so much for granted so I am passionate about getting students to think critically about how agriculture fits into their world.

Read More>>>


Subscribe to the AgMag!

AgMags

The AgMag series is a FREE resource available in both print and digital formats.  Select the best option for you, and subscribe for the 2018-19 school year.

AgMag Jr. - Two issues (fall and winter) designed for K-2nd graders.

Specialty Crop AgMag - One issue, focused on fruits, veggies, herbs and honey, designed for 3rd graders.

AgMag - Three issues (fall, winter, spring) aligned with science and social studies academic standards for 4th-6th graders.


Grant Opportunities - Apply TODAY!

CHS Classroom Grants - Apply by September 15

CHS Foundation provides $500 grants each year to K-12 teachers who have classroom projects that use agricultural concepts to teach reading, writing, math, science, social studies and more.

Ag Literacy grants

MAITC Ag Literacy Grants - Apply by November 1st 

MAITC Foundation provides cash awards to K-12 educators to encourage them to bring agriculture and food systems education "to life" by effectively integrating related content into their classroom or school. Grants are available for new ideas as well as enhancements to current events/activities. Specific grant funds are available for K-12 teachers, first-year teachers and 4-H and FFA groups.


Outstanding Teacher Scholarships and Awards

American Farm Bureau Foundation White-Reinhardt Scholarship - Apply by October 15th

Full time educators and/or volunteers that actively participate in classroom ag literacy programs or events are encourages apply for this scholarship program that provides travel expense funds to attend the National Ag in the Classroom Conference and then use the information gained to expand their outreach to students regarding food, fiber and fuel.

Outstanding Teacher Award

MAITC Outstanding Teacher Award - Apply by November 1st

One MAITC Outstanding Teacher Award will be given to an educator currently engaged in classroom instruction at the K-12 grade levels. This award will recognize the teacher for his/her creative efforts to integrate agriculture into his/her classroom and curricula to increase agricultural literacy. The winning Minnesota teacher will receive $500 and have up to $1,500 of his/her related expenses paid to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom (NAITC) Conference June 18-21, 2019 in Little Rock, Arkansas. 


Ag Trivia

Congratulations to our August Ag Trivia winner Brigid Sandager!

September Trivia Question: What is the name of the newest apple variety developed at the University of Minnesota?

Send your answer to sue.knott@state.mn.us. The first person to reply with the correct answer will win a MAITC reusable bag!