It's September! Teachers, students and families across Minnesota are starting the school year in a variety of learning environments. Many farmers are anxiously awaiting harvest season, and some of our Minnesota fall crops are ready to be picked! Our Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) team is here to assist you as the season changes from summer to fall. Please reach out to our MAITC team of Education Specialists and Regional Curriculum Specialists if there is guidance we can offer as you integrate agriculture into your classroom and curricula.
We are sending you positivity, flexibility and good health as the school year and fall season get underway!
It is now easier than ever to sign-up for our FREE AgMag series!
From students to teachers to producers to business owners, everyone wins when agricultural literacy is increased. The AgMag series helps students understand from a young age why agriculture should be valued by all. Visit the AgMag website to sign up for the FREE AgMag series that features two grade-specific issues in print and online for each K-6 grade level. Colorful images, interactive activities, and engaging non-fiction stories highlight the Minnesotans who provide our food, fuel, fiber, forest products and flowers!
 Join us for the first virtual field trip of the 2021-22 school year to Backlund Acres! We will meet chickens, pigs, cows and investigate how to grow microgreens. Farm owner, Sheila Backlund, will show us how healthy soil supports healthy animals, which in turn support healthy people. This virtual field is designed for K-5 students.
Zoom Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_h9g8bEm7RiizADe2FMt2tw
The virtual field trip will also be streamed live on YouTube and available for viewing later.
Please contact keri.sidle@state.mn.us with any questions.
 Forget the guinea pig. How about adopting a 1,500-pound dairy cow for your classroom mascot? The Discover Dairy “Adopt a Cow” program is an exciting, year-long experience for elementary classrooms. Throughout the program, classrooms are paired with a calf from a dairy farm in the United States. You’ll find out what her name is, when her birthday is, where she lives, and how the farmer takes care of her. You’ll also receive progress updates, photos of the cow, live chats from the farm, activity sheets for your students, suggested lessons that follow Common CORE standards, and even opportunities to write letters to your calf!
 The MAITC Foundation is excited to offer grants to K-12 teachers, as well as 4-H and FFA groups! Applicants are encouraged to be creative and develop interesting, valuable agricultural experiences for their students that address multiple curricular areas.
Applications are due November 15, 2021.
 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 teach students about the importance of agriculture. The winning Minnesota teacher will receive $500 and have up to $1,500 of related expenses paid to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference June 28-July 1, 2022 in Saratoga Springs, New York.
 Regional Curriculum Specialist - The MAITC Foundation is accepting applications for a Metro Area Regional Curriculum Specialist. The application review process will begin on September 23, 2021.
MAITC Student Worker - College students with an interest in digital communications are encouraged to apply by September 20, 2021. This position is available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture: MAITC Student Worker Para Professional - Job ID 47807
The newest Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom program, Farm Camp Minnesota, completed its pilot program last school year. Read about the Top 5 Lesson Learned during their first 4 Farm Camp experiences on the Farm Camp Blog: 5 Lessons learned from our Pilot Programs - Farm Camp Minnesota
Are you a high school educator looking for a hands-on pollinator habitat project for your students? Sand County Foundation invites your proposal to engage your students in growing native forbs (wildflower plants) in a school greenhouse and planting them on an appropriately prepared site. Teachers involved with FFA or environmental education are especially welcome to apply.
Applications are due November 19, 2021.
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 Celebrate Farm to School! Share your story. Thank those who make farm to school possible.
October is National Farm to School Month, a time to crunch into locally grown food and celebrate all the people who make Farm to School possible including educators, farmers and nutritional professionals.
Farm to school celebrations will look different for each school and community but suggested activities could include:
Celebrate!
- Crunching into locally grown apples with the Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch at noon on Thursday, October 14, 2021. If you can’t join on the 14th, register and Crunch any day and time in October that works for you.
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Add a local item to a meal or snack
- Serving an all local meal (e.g. Minnesota Thursdays)
- Joining a virtual farm tour hosted by Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom
- Submitting a proclamation to your city or county government celebrating farm to school heroes in your community
- Cooking a meal with a local item at home with family
- Hosting an in-person or virtual garden harvest party or other activity in the school garden
- Using class time for a Farm to School activity
- Taking a photo or video of your celebration and posting it to social media using #MNfarmtoschool
Share.
Let everyone know you are celebrating by using the hashtag #MNfarmtoschool and #F2SMonth on your favorite social media outlets.
Thank.
Whether you are a food service professional, a farmer, a student, a teacher or a family, there are plenty of ways to celebrate and show your gratitude.
To learn more, go to Minnesota’s Farm to School Month website.
September Trivia Question:
What is Minnesota's official state fruit?
The first two people to respond to sue.knott@state.mn.us with the correct answer will receive a reusable MAITC bag.
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