KyAEC Seeks Agriculture Adventures Coordinator

Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom is seeking a part-time contract Education/Marketing Coordinator for our Agriculture Adventures Program, which is a mobile education program that teaches K-5 students about agriculture through a high-energy 40-minute assembly and hands-on activities. The ideal candidate will:

• Have a basic understanding of agriculture and farming.
• Be able to perform a scripted program that is engaging and entertaining. Coordinators must also have ability to adapt the show when surprises occur. 
• Drive and operate a 14-foot box truck and pass a CDL health certificate exam.
• Assist in loading and unloading the truck, which includes several pieces of large, heavy equipment, up and down a steel ramp. 
• Be able to stand/walk for several hours at a time.
• Have a basic understanding of electronics and sound equipment. 
• Communicate with school officials, sponsors, and volunteers about program requirements through phone calls and email.
• Work with volunteers to help them provide the hands-on activities following the assembly. 
• Market the program through mail, phone calls, and electronic media to sell bookings at schools and education programs. 
• Spend 8-10 weekday evenings away from home each month during peak program times (spring and fall). 
• Have flexibility to provide shows. Program days will vary.
• Reside within a 50-mile radius of Shepherdsville, KY. Strong candidates that do not meet this requirement may still be considered. 

The chosen coordinator will receive $50 for each program booking (with receipt of deposit) and $250 for each show provided. Peak months (March, April, May, September, October, and November) could provide the potential to earn $2,500 or more per month. Successful marketing will result in more shows and higher earning potential. Contract period is January through December 2016 and may be renewed upon providing a successful program.

For more information or to submit your resume, please send an email to info@teachkyag.org. Application deadline is December 31.

Reserve Your Teach Ky Ag License Plate Today!

So do we really need another specialty license plate in Kentucky? The choice of causes you can support by registering your vehicle in the commonwealth are endless, but we are going to throw in one more for you to consider, the #TeachKYAg Tag. Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom was recently approved to presell a plate with the goal of establishing a long-term, financial support system for agriculture education programs.  

While the Farm Tag program already provides a means for funding 4-H, FFA, and Kentucky Proud, the Teach Ky Ag Tag will be a registration option for vehicles that do not qualify for Farm Tags. Assuming we make our minimum number of reservations, and I know we will, every vehicle in your household or business can finally support agriculture education.

Once the plates are manufactured and we receive the $10 donation from each license plate and renewal, the KyAEC board will dedicate funds for agriculture literacy programs such as in-classroom curriculum, professional development and resources for teachers and volunteer educators, and educational events targeting school-age children. We have also committed to provide grants to Kentucky FFA, 4-H, schools, and agritourism venues to carry out their programming aimed at educating the non-farming community.

This is such an exciting time for our organization and the number of students and teachers we are able to reach continues to grow. In the past seven months, we have provided the Agriculture Adventures program to 11,000 students. We also recently purchased a third Mobile Science Activity Trailer so the Kentucky Department of Agriculture can teach agri-science activities to an additional 8,000 to 10,000 students each year. A new agriculture resource website and literacy tools are in the works, which should reach more than a 100 thousand students in the next two years. But despite the wonderful support of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, our agricultural organizations and businesses, our only limiting factor is funding.

So, yes, Kentucky needs one more specialty license plate to teach the next generation of informed consumers. It is also our goal to encourage more students to consider careers in agriculture. Teaching Kentucky agriculture feeds our future in more ways than one.

We need to reserve 900 plates before the DMV will manufacture the plates. The fee is $25 and will be held until the 900 plate minimum is reached. Once the plates are ready, your county clerk's office will send you a postcard and $25 credit for your plate; an additional $19 will be collected at pick-up ($44 total). The renewal cost will be $31 annually (birth month). $10 from each purchase and renewal will be directed to KyAEC with your approval. Personalization requests may only be made at the county clerk's office after the minimum number of plates have been reserved.

If you are interested in reserving a plate, please visit https://www.teachkyag.org/license-plate.html. We also encourage you to take a look at our many other programs and get involved!

I also talked with Mike Feldhaus for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Across Kentucky radio program about the plates and how the funding will be used. Take a listen:

KyAEC Plans Agriculture Literacy Network Workshop - February 5, 2016

The Agriculture Literacy Network was formed to provide training, services and resources to those who currently or are interested in educating students and the public on agricultural topics.

Supporters of the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom realized that non-traditional educators may be our greatest resource in providing agricultural literacy programs to our students and the general public through classroom visits, farm tours, festivals, fairs, and interacting with the public.

Membership in the Agriculture Literacy Network is $50 annually, and includes registration for state-wide ALN Workshop, Friday, February 5, in Bowling Green. Sessions include learning how to use available resources from KyAEC and supporting organizations, connecting with teachers and providing what they need, organizing a successful ag day event, encouraging schools to visit your farm, and more.

To learn more about the Agriculture Literacy Network and Workshop, visit https://www.teachkyag.org/agriculture-literacy-network-of-kentucky.html. Registration deadline is January 27.

 

Primary sponsors of the Agriculture Literacy Network are Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and Farm Credit Mid-America. Additional support is provided by Kentucky Pork Producers, Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board, Agri-Business Association of Kentucky, Kentucky Corn, Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, Kentucky Livestock Coalition, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, and the Kentucky Dairy Development Council.

KyAEC Thanks Former Kentucky First Lady Libby Jones for 23 Years of Service

Mrs. Libby Jones, wife of former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones and co-owner of Airdrie Stud in Midway, has been serving the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom since its incorporation in 1992. She recently, however, announced her retirement from the KyAEC Board to allow the next generation to take the lead.

Libby has been such an incredible asset to KyAEC and a true champion of agricultural literacy and protecting our agriculture land and heritage. She is a director of American Farmland Trust, Vice-Chair of Bluegrass Conservancy, and Director of the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation. She is also active in soil conservation efforts statewide as a director of the P.A.C.E. Board, working to protect Kentucky's most productive farmlands in perpetuity.

In honor of Mrs. Jones service, we are developing a farmland preservation activity for members of our Agriculture Literacy Network to utilize with students.

Please help us thank Libby for her time and dedication to KyAEC these many years. Letters and cards may be addressed to Airdrie Stud, PO Box 487, Midway, KY 40347.

Agriculture Adventures Reaches 11,000 Students in 2015

Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom was able to provide 43 individual shows to more than 11,000 students in 2015 with its Agriculture Adventures program. This Kentucky Academic Standards-aligned performance teaches kids how a pizza is grown from the soil up. A combination of hands-on activities reinforce what the students have learned. These components can be provided separately to fit the needs of the school or sponsoring organization.

Many of the programs have been sponsored by county Farm Bureau and Conservation District Offices or other local organizations and businesses. Providing volunteers is also a huge commitment for the schools and sponsors, and we appreciate everyone's participation.

Dates are starting to fill for 2016. Please contact us soon to book your agricultural literacy experience in your community or visit https://www.teachkyag.org/agriculture-adventures.html for more information.

Several hundred kids experienced Agriculture Adventures over two days at Gallrein Farms in Shelbyville this past September. The program was sponsored by the Shelby County Farm Bureau. Gallrein Farms has rebooked to provide the program over two weeks in 2016.

The following sponsored/hosted programs in 2015:

Daviess Co. Farm Bureau
Daviess Co. Conservation District
Simpson Co. Extension
Anderson Co. Farm Bureau
Gilkison Farms (Clark Co.)
Newton Parrish Elementary
Garrard Co. Farm Bureau
Lincoln Co. Farm Bureau
Kentucky State Fair Board Shelby Co. Farm Bureau
Gallrein Farms (Shelby Co.)
McLean Co. Fair Board
Clay Co. Farm Bureau
Mercer Co. Farm Bureau
Kentucky Poultry Federation
A Better Community Foundation (Fleming Co.) 

Kentucky Ag Literacy Partners Cut Ribbon on Third Mobile Science Activity Center

Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and Kentucky's agricultural literacy partners cut the ribbon to ceremonially launch the new Eastern Kentucky Mobile Science Activity Center that will travel to schools and events throughout the region. 

“The new Mobile Science Activity Center is designed to negotiate some of the challenging terrain that can be found in parts of eastern Kentucky,” Commissioner Comer said during the November 13 ceremony at the Kentucky Exposition Center. “This unit will enable us to reach more schools in the region so we can help educators teach their students about the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives.”

The Eastern Kentucky Mobile Science Activity Center is a 36-foot-long trailer equipped with 10 iPad interactive workstations for students to conduct activities and investigations related to agriculture and the environment. It will be placed into service after the first of the year.

The new unit will join two 44-foot-long Mobile Science Activity Centers that travel to schools and events throughout the Commonwealth. The mobile units are administered by the Division of Agriculture Education and Outreach in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Office of Marketing.

The Eastern Kentucky unit is part of the Appalachia Proud initiative that Commissioner Comer launched in February 2014 to promote farm products and improve agricultural literacy in 37 eastern Kentucky counties.

The new MSAC was purchased and outfitted with support from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom Inc.’s member partners: the Kentucky Pork Producers, the AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky, Farm Credit Mid-America, the Kentucky Beef Council, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, the Kentucky Corn Growers Association, the Kentucky Dairy Development Council, the Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky Farm Bureau, the Kentucky Goat Producers Association, the Kentucky Horse Council, the Kentucky Pork Producers Association, the Kentucky Poultry Federation, the Kentucky Retail Federation, the Kentucky Small Grain Growers' Association, the Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board, and the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association.

KyAEC Reaches 3,500 Youth and Adults with Ag Literacy Programs at the Kentucky State Fair

Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom was able to reach an estimated 3,500 youth and adults with their agriculture literacy programs at the Kentucky State Fair, August 20-30, 2015.

"The Kentucky State Fair is the perfect venue to reach a large number of Kentucky's citizens about how agriculture impacts our daily lives," said Jennifer Elwell, KyAEC executive director. "While many agriculture education efforts are underway during the fair, we wanted to add our programs to the mix in order to introduce our organization as a primary coordinator of agriculture literacy efforts for schools and youth programs."

Through a partnership with the Kentucky State Fair Board, KyAEC provided its Agriculture Adventures program on the Kids Biz stage twice a day during the run of the fair. Agriculture Adventures is a 30-minute show that tells how a pizza is made with the help of Kentucky's farmers.

KyAEC and its member volunteers also provided agricultural learning activities to visitors at the KSFB's Children's Coloring Mural. The activities are part of the Agriculture on the Move program, which provides hand-on agriculture lessons to members of the Agriculture Literacy Network.

KyAEC introduced it's latest Kentucky-specific agriculture resource as well, the Kentucky Agriculture A to Z Coloring Book.

"There are so many wonderful agriculture literacy resources and lessons from the nation's agricultural organizations, but we also want to provide learning that provided specific information about Kentucky farms, food and agribusiness," said Elwell. "This coloring book provides a snapshot of how Kentucky agriculture works to provide us food, jobs, and natural resources."

The coloring book was produced with a matching Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund investment and will be sold to further support agricultural literacy efforts in the commonwealth.

KyAEC would like to provide a special thank you to its many Kentucky State Fair volunteers: Kentucky Poultry Federation, Cal-Main Foods, Pilgrim's Pride, and Perdue.

For more information about Kentucky's agricultural literacy programs, visit www.teachkyag.org.

CHS Grants for K-12 Teachers Available - $1,500 Awarded for Use of Ag-Based Lessons

CHS is providing five Classroom Grants through the National Agriculture in the Classroom. The $1,500 grants will be awarded to kindergarten through 12th grade core education teachers whose innovative classroom projects use agricultural concepts to teach reading, writing, math, nutrition, science and/or social studies. The deadline for grant proposals is September 15, 2015. Recipients will be notified by email on or before October 1, 2015.   

The CHS Classroom Grant Program is designed to fund projects that will educate K-12 students about the importance of agriculture and allow teachers to use agricultural concepts to teach core subject areas. Those who receive one of the five grants will be required to use at least two lesson plans from the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix or two lesson plans from a state Agriculture in the Classroom program.

In addition, grant proposals must demonstrate how local farmers, ranchers or agriculture industry representatives will be involved in the project. 

Grant reviewers will use this CHS Grant Rubric. 

CHS will highlight the winning classroom grants at its annual meeting in December 2016.

Timeline:
Grant proposals must be submitted online by midnight (PST) September 15, 2015.
Awards will be announced via email October 1, 2015
A final report due to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization by June 1, 2016.

For more information, visit http://www.agclassroom.org/get/chs_grant.cfm. 

Owensboro Farmer Provides Home-Grown Education for Community Kids

Suzanne Cecil White, a produce farmer in Owensboro, knows the value of education and learning by doing. She is also a strong advocate of healthy eating and providing her community a personal connection to her farm. By adding these passions together, this former high school math teacher has a formula for success.

Two years ago, Suzanne wanted to create a program that allowed kids to get their hands dirty and understand how fruits and vegetables are produced locally. Once a week for six weeks, she hosted a "Farm Camp" for kids ages 7-10. The kids were able to plant and harvest their own vegetables while learning about farming along the way. They also visited other farms in the area to learn about livestock and different farm enterprises. The camp was a huge success, and several parents asked if it would be offered again.

The produce season of 2014 came with a new addition to her family, but she knew she wanted to continue providing educational programs through her farm.

Earlier this year, she connected with a local Boys and Girls Club (Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club) through her involvement in area leadership organizations. The club was offering a locally-funded program called "Positive Sprouts" and Suzanne wanted to offer her expertise and her farm for their curriculum.

Suzanne provided the club a small plot on her family's produce farm (Cecil Farms Produce). They planted on March 31st and have been tending it at least once weekly ever since. The kids are now enjoying harvesting the vegetables, and they sell it at the local farmer's market, use it for meals at the club, or provide it for their families. The money the kids make at the farmer's market goes back to the program.

"This has been a very successful program," Suzanne said. "The kids love it. The community members love it. The farmer's market customers love it. I had a customer start crying because she saw the joy on the kids' faces when they shared their experience with her. This has had such a positive impact on everyone involved.

Ag in the Classroom Launches National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix

The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards.

Search the instructional, classroom-ready resources >>

Kentucky Hosts Successful National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference

Kentucky Farm Bureau's Betty Farris checking out a few
agriculture resources at the NAITC in Louisville.

More than 400 educators from around the country learned the ‘Unbridled Possibilities’ of using agricultural concepts to teach reading, writing, math, science, social studies and more at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization’s (NAITCO) National Conference held at The Galt House Hotel June 16-20 in Louisville, Kentucky.

NAITCO, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for Food & Agriculture and Kentucky Agriculture in the Classroom, held three days of workshops that showed kindergarten through 12th grade teachers how to use agriculture to teach core subject areas. In addition, conference participants went on traveling workshops of nearby farms and university research facilities to learn about the equine, soybean and bourbon industries, among other stops. The conference also honored several national teacher winners and a national Ag Advocate winner for the innovative ways they use agriculture to teach students about an important industry.

The Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom was sponsor of the state coordinators annual meeting. Executive Director Jennifer Elwell and Vice Chair Becky Kinder (Kentucky Soybean Board) attended meet program coordinators and educators from across the country as well as showcase KyAEC programs and resources.

KyAEC Vice Chair Becky Kinder and Executive Director Jennifer Elwell. 

This activity that encourages students to learn where key commodities are produced
was a huge hit with the conference attendees.

Kentucky teacher Leslie Meredith

Kentucky was also honored to have a local recipient of the 2015 Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award, which is sponsored by the USDA-NIFA and Farm Credit. Seventh grade science teacher Leslie Preston Meredith earned the award for featuring agricultural concepts to teach across the curriculum to foster in her students’ minds a love of the environment and an appreciation of the importance of agriculture.

Kentucky Farm Bureau also played a large part in helping plan the conference and schedule the local tours. They also provided scholarships for several Kentucky teachers to attend.

For more conference coverage, visit http://www.agclassroom.org/conference2015/index.htm.

Becky Kinder and Judy Hayden sharing a blanket for warmth in a typical hotel conference setting. 

Kentucky auctioneer David Neville (Capstone Produce Market) encourages bids during the live
auction to raise funds for the NAITC program. He sweetened the pot on several occasions. 

A group of educators from California were the winners of the Kentucky sponsored
gift basket and tickets and Churchill Downs. 

Kentucky group sharing stories and laughter. 

Kentucky teacher Judy Hayden leads addresses the group and asks for God's blessing on the meal. 

 

Kentucky Farm Bureau's Scott Christmas played a huge role in organizing the conference. 

Kentucky farmer Sharon Furches addressed a dinner crowd. 

Next year's National Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom's Conference will be held in Phoenix, AZ, June 20-24, 2016. Learn more at www.agclassroom.org. 

Derby Week is a Great Time to Celebrate our Horse Heritage

The running of the Kentucky Derby and our rich equine heritage definitely make life unique in our great Commonwealth of Kentucky. We have put a few quick lessons and resources together to help introduce your students to the equine industry and "the greatest two minutes in sports."

Lessons on Horses & The Kentucky Derby - http://www.teachkyag.org/equine.html

http://www.teachkyag.org/equine.html 

Many thanks are provided to the Kentucky Horse Council and the Kentucky Equine Education Project for their support of our programs. 

KyAEC Awarded Additional Grant for Agriculture Education Projects

On Friday, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved an additional $72,500 for curriculum and educator training projects during its April board meeting. This amount is in addition to the $71,384 awarded at the March board meeting for a new Mobile Science Activity Center. The grants are being provided for half the cost of the following programs:

• Mobile Science Activity Center - new trailer designed for use in eastern Kentucky.
• Video and activity guide production for use with the Mobile Science Activity Centers
• Development of "ag day" curriculum tools and displays for use by agricultural organizations
• In-classroom agriculture literacy resource development - print and web based
• Development of Kentucky agriculture booklet for use by farms and agriculture organizations
• Training workshops for volunteer agriculture educators and farms offering school tours and agritourism
• Agriculture curriculum workshops for student teachers.

Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom will work to implement these programs over the next two years and thanks the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board for their commitment to advancing agriculture literacy. 

Earth Day is April 22: Learn how Kentucky Farmers are Conserving our Land and Water

Some say that every day is Earth Day for our farmers, as they rely on the health of their soil and water supplies to produce safe, quality foods. While all farmers make a special effort to conserve resources, we wanted to highlight farmers that have been recognized by the Leopold Conservation Award the past two years for the conservation methods they have implemented on their Kentucky farms.

Literacy Activities for Earth Day

Have students read any or all of the following Kentucky farmer profiles (download the pdf). Discuss and/or have students complete the corresponding ELA Informational Text Worksheet.

Videos of the farmers may be viewed on our website.

Students may also be given the following writing prompt:

How are Kentucky farmers protecting our land wand water? After reading the farmer profiles and informational texts and/or watching the videos, write an essay in which you describe how Kentucky farmers are currently using sustainable methods to grow food, fiber, and energy. Support your article with evidence from the texts and videos.

DID YOU KNOW that NO-TILL crop farming (the practice of not breaking the soil before planting) has its roots in Kentucky?

Christian County farmer Harry Young, Jr. planted the first commercial no-till crop 50 years ago. While the goal was to reduce soil erosion, additional benefits included reduced fuel use, increased organic matter and water holding capacity, and higher soil quality. Today, about 70 percent of the state's wheat acreage, 50 percent of the corn acreage, and 80 percent of soybean acreage is no-till.

Read the article: Kentucky celebrates 50 years of no-till farming | View the Video

DID YOU KNOW that all Kentucky farms are required to develop and use an Agricultural Water Quality Plan?

The Kentucky General Assembly passed the Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Act in 1994 to protect surface and groundwater resources from pollution as a result of agriculture and silviculture (forestry) activities. The Agricultural Water Quality Act requires all landowner/land users with 10 or more acres being used for agriculture or silviculture operations to develop and implement a water quality plan using best management practices.

Read more about the Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Act and Plan

2015 is the International Year of Soils

2015 has been named the International Year of Soils. Several organizations around the world are joining the celebration to raise awareness and promote the sustainability of our limited soil resources. We all have a valuable role in communicating vital information on soils, a life sustaining natural resource. Here you will find a number of resources to help your students learn about soils.

Grades K-2:
I Heart Soil Coloring and Activity Pages
Read "Diary of a Worm" (Video Version) -
& Lesson Plan
Make Soil Crayons
Classifying Soils by Feel and Texture

Read "A Handful of Dirt" 

Edible Soil Layer Activity

Grades 3-5:

A Soil Profile

Soil Erosion Demonstration

Particle Size Demonstration

Caring for the Land - Soil Management

Soil Air Demonstration

Keeping Soil in its Place - Erosion

Perking Through the Pores - Water Holding Capacity

The Farmer Cares for the Land - Environmental Impact

The Soil Chain - Relationships between soil and common objects

Have older students check out the NRCS Soil Health Awareness web site. The resources on this site are designed to help visitors understand the basics and benefits of soil health-and to learn about Soil Health Management Systems from farmers who are using those systems.

To celebrate the International Year of Soils, the Soil Science Society also produced several 2-3 minute educational videos:

January: Soils Sustain Life

February: Soils Support Urban Life

March: Soils Support Agriculture

April: Soils Clean and Capture Water

Writing prompts could be given to students on each resource and video.

For additional resources on soil science for all grade levels, check out our International Year of Soils resource page. 

Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Approves Grant for New Mobile Science Activity Center

Today the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $71,384 toward the cost of a new Mobile Science Activity Center (MSAC) and curriculum enhancements during its March board meeting. The MSAC program is provided to schools across the Commonwealth through a partnership between the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom (KyAEC) and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). 

In 2013, KyAEC and its member organizations provided more than $250,000 to replace two aging MSAC units operated by KDA. As the current units continue to keep full schedules, KyAEC and KDA agreed to work toward purchasing a third center that is better suited to serve eastern Kentucky schools; the trailer will be shorter to more easily maneuver mountain roads. 

"We are very thankful for the Agricultural Development Board's support of this project," said Jennifer Elwell, KyAEC executive director. "The Mobile Science Activity Centers are educating about 25,000 students each year with hands-on, agriculture and science-based activities, and a new unit will allow us to reach an additional 10,000 students annually."

Working Together to Teach Kentucky Ag

By Jennifer Elwell
Executive Director

An exciting challenge has been presented to me and, ultimately, Kentucky’s farming community. I have been dedicating my professional life almost exclusively to agriculture education efforts the past several months with the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom, and I realize that there are so many more students and teachers we could be reaching. We just need to work together, find new partners, and get creative.

The first task is to expand our current successful programs. The Mobile Science Activity Centers, administered and staffed by the KentuckyDepartment of Agriculture, are teaching the science of agriculture to about 24,000 students annually.

These trailers have been a group effort of our Kentucky agriculture and commodity organizations for many years, and the only limiting factor for reaching more students is time; the trailers continue to stay completely booked throughout the school year. The KAEC is now working to pull resources together to purchase a third Mobile Science Activity Center, which would allow the program to reach another 8,000 to 10,000 students each year. We are thrilled that the KDA has committed to providing staff and support for an additional unit. This is a program teachers request time and time again.

Celebrate Agriculture in the Classroom on National Ag Day - March 18

With our recent weather, it is hard to imagine that we will be welcoming spring in about two weeks. Farmers are itching to get out in their fields to start preparing the land for this year's crops, and we want to celebrate their efforts in providing food for our tables.

Wednesday, March 18, is National Ag Day, and we want to encourage you to plan a classroom activity that helps students understand how food and fiber products are produced and appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

Here are a few suggestions:

K-3: Read a book that accurately portrays agriculture 

Each year, the American Farm Bureau Foundation selects an agriculture book for volunteers to read in classrooms across the country on Ag Day. Teaching plans and additional resources are available.

This year's book is The Apple Orchard Riddle by Margaret McNamara. In this playful and humorous story, the students learn a lot about apples and apple orchards-including how apples are harvested, how cider is made, and what the different varieties of apples are-while trying to solve a riddle. Purchase the book from AFBF if it is not available in your library. An educator's guide aligned to Common Core Standards is also available for purchase.

Kentucky Connection - After reading the book, teachers may then show their students this Kentucky Farms Feed Me video about an apple orchard in Kentucky. A teacher's guide and student worksheets are available for printing free of charge.

We have additional book suggestions on our Pinterest page for various ages and reading levels.

March is National Nutrition Month

Since farmers are in the business of producing nutritious foods, we want to make sure that students are equipped with the know-how of fueling their bodies in the proper way for optimal health.

Team Nutrition with the United States Department of Agriculture is helping teachers and parents celebrate National Nutrition Month by providing a number of MyPlate lessons, resources, games, and tools to teach healthy eating and physical activity.

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/NNM.html

MyPlate Classroom Materials for PreK-Grade 8

MyPlate Kid's Place: Activities, Games, Videos & More

Super Tracker Nutrition Lesson Plans for High School Students

We have also provided a number of other nutrition resources on our #teachkyag web site from our partners, such as Eat to Win Kentucky. 

Kentucky Farm Life: Winter and Caring for Livestock

The winter has been extreme and provided many challenges for farmers whom raise livestock. 

We asked a few farmers, whom are CommonGround: Kentucky volunteers, to respond to the following question: How are you caring for your animals to ensure their comfort?

This winter's weather has definitely made caring for our livestock a challenge, to say the least. Although cattle are less susceptible to the cold than humans, we still take every precaution to keep safe & comfortable. We unroll round bales every morning to keep from having large amounts of mud gather in one particular area. If there is snow on the ground, this gives the cattle a warmer place to lay. It also keeps them from all laying around one round bale and potentially smothering a calf. Our calving season has just begun, so we carefully check each herd at least three times a day. If a cow is close to calving & the weather conditions are getting worse, we'll get her into a barn where she'll have more shelter. We have also brought calves into our home and put them in our bathtub to try & get their body temperatures back up. Both were taken back to their mothers after they were warmed up and are doing fine now. Farmers care for their livestock, no matter the weather, and will do just about anything to assure their safety!​ - Amanda Gajdzik, Shelbyville

Kentucky Agriculture and Environmental Scholarships Available

A number of Kentucky organizations and agencies still have agricultural and environmental scholarships available for the 2015/2016 school year: