As an intern, I have been able to create lesson plans, attend a High School career night, give presentations to students K-4, and much more. The county coordinators meeting in February was so much fun. I was not only able to connect with other county coordinators, but I was able to learn more about Illinois Ag in the Classroom. Implementing a poster contest for students K-12 grades has been a large task, but a great learning experience on how to improve in years to come. I have learned that my passion for agriculture and teaching young children continues to grow everyday. Throughout my internship thus far, I have formulated my top five reasons I find it important to teach youth about agriculture.
My five reasons to Teach Ag!
1. They are interested.
Younger students always as awesome questions. (Sometimes off the wall questions too!) If we allow students to form opinions about the agriculture industry through Ag in the Classroom, we will be able to hopefully help them relay that message to mom and dad too! Students love having a guest educator in the classroom. They ask a lot of questions, and are always listening to what you have to say.
2. It helps them connect to the food they eat.
When teaching agricultural lessons in relation to dairy, pork, beef, etc. students will hopefully be able to identify these products at the grocery store and know that each product had to travel a long distance to get there. It is exciting to me when children get the "ah ha!" moment when they discover there food didn't just appear on the grocery store shelf. Showing how food is produced, packaged, and shipped shows students just how much work goes into something that seems so simple.
3. It helps them connect to the land.
Not all students K-4 understand why we have corn and soybeans growing everywhere in Central Illinois.
There are so many things that we, as educators, can do to teach youth about the land, how it helps plant growth, and what agriculturalist do to maintain that land day in and day out.
4. They connect to the producer.
When students get to read a story, watch a video, or actually meet a farmer, they are able to formulate a lot of questions to ask. Putting a face on the farmer that is ultimately providing food, fuel, and fiber for each and every person on this planet can be very beneficial. Allowing students to make this connection may also help communicate facts about farming that many youth may not know. Connecting to the producer allows students to understand the hard work and dedication each farmer puts into feeding a growing population.
5. It helps them gain perspective on the agricultural industry.
Overall, the goal of teaching youth about agriculture is to help them gain an understanding of all aspects of the agricultural industry. There is no better time than now to start educating youth on the importance of agriculture in their daily lives. The best part about it is, they love it! Through interactive lessons, hands on activities, and much more, we are able to excite youth about the future of an industry that provides food, fuel, and fiber for you and me everyday.
Whats next? I have been very busy creating lessons, organizing AITC Kits, and planning our Summer Agricultural Institute that will take place in June. Stay tuned for more information about what the next few weeks will bring me as I continue to grow professionally and prepare many lessons for students throughout Ford and Iroquois Counties!
For more information on the Ford-Iroquois Ag in the Classroom Program visit: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/agclass/
For more information on Illinois Ag in the Classroom, please visit: http://www.agintheclassroom.org/
