August Highlights from MN Ag in the Classroom

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MAITC Newsletter Banner 6.2.2017

Sign-up for AgMags for the 2026-27 School Year

2026-27 AgMag Sign-up

Did you know that there’s a free, custom magazine for grades K-6 available to all teachers and students? Each AgMag issue aligns with Minnesota academic standards, and there are also free lesson plans for each edition to seamlessly integrate into your curricula! AgMags provide a unique piece for students to engage with beyond their typical textbooks and materials. The print magazine and digital content feature real-life Minnesota farmers and businesses, highlighting people and organizations that kids can feel a connection to.

Sign-up for the 2026-27 AgMags Today!

AgMag GIVEAWAY

Hey Teachers - we need your help! MAITC wants to make sure every K-6 teacher in Minnesota has heard of the AgMag series. We want you to share with your networks about the AgMag, so we are hosting a giveaway for a chance to win $100!

Here are the details:

A random drawing will be held on September 24, 2026 to select three winners. These winners will be announced on the MAITC Facebook and Instagram pages. 

*MAITC will never ask you to click a link for a giveaway or fill out a form with your credit card information.

**Winners must be Minnesota teachers.

**Giveaway is hosted by the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation.


Read and Grow: Agriculture Story Time at the MN State Fair

Read and Grow Storytime

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and MAITC are hosting a new event at the Minnesota State Fair: Read and Grow: Agriculture Storytime!

Each day of the fair, Aug. 27 - Sept. 7, families can stop by the MDA exhibit in the North Wing of the Ag-Hort Building to enjoy some agriculture-themed children’s books. A Dairy Princess will lead storytime at 10:30 a.m., followed by an Agriculture Ambassador at noon. Visitors to our exhibit can also browse AgMags and explore other resources available for teachers looking to incorporate agriculture into their classrooms. You can also grab one of our free bookmarks.

See you at the Fair!


Outstanding Teacher Award

Outstanding Teacher Award

MAITC has worked with MANY amazing teachers across our state! We would like to recognize one of these awesome educators with the MAITC Outstanding Teacher Award. This award is presented annually to an educator currently engaged in classroom instruction at the K-12 grade level and recognizes the teacher for their 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, 2027, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Apply by October 15.


Agricultural Literacy Grants

Ag Literacy Grants

The MAITC Foundation is excited to provide cash awards to K-12 educators through the Agricultural Literacy Grant Program. The goal of the program is to give students opportunities to experience agriculture through cross-curricular learning. Grants can support projects that integrate agriculture and food systems into the classroom, take students on field trips to agricultural sites, or otherwise bring agricultural education to life.

Funding is available for new ideas as well as enhancements to existing events and activities. FFA chapters and 4-H programs are also eligible to apply for grants that promote agricultural literacy among students in their communities.

Apply by October 15. 


Farm Based Education Network Learning Journey

Farm Based Ed Network Learning Journey

Farm Based Education Network Learning Journeys convene those working in food and farm education for a series of farm tours. Tour leaders go beyond “what” each site offers to focus on their strengths, struggles, and unique attributes. Participants may come to one or all parts of the journey!

When: September 17, 2026, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Where: Dodge Nature Center and Urban Roots

Register by September 11.


August Ag Trivia

August Trivia Question: We can't wait for the 2026 Minnesota State Fair!   In what year was the Pronto Pup introduced at the Minnesota State Fair?

Send your answer to sue.knott@state.mn.us. The first two people to respond with the correct answers will win a MAITC reusable shopping bag.