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.

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 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."

On the Radio with Across Kentucky

Excitement for our programs is building, and we shared that excitement with Kentucky Farm Bureau's Across Kentucky radio program today. Thank you for the love, Mike Feldhaus!

Listen to the interview: http://kyfbnewsroom.com/across-kentucky-december-18-2014/ 

2015 Kentucky Agriculture Poster and Essay Contest

Entry Deadline is January 27, 2015.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has opened its 2015 Poster and Essay Contest to Kentucky students in grades K-12. The theme of the contest is Kentucky Agriculture: Growing the Next Generation of Farmers. All submissions must be exclusively created by the student.

Winners will be notified by February 20, 2015 and will receive $100 in addition to being recognized at the Kentucky Agriculture Day Celebration on March 13.

For more information, go to http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/poster-essay-contest.html or contact Jordan Spalding at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at 502-782-4125 / jordan.spalding@ky.gov.

The contest is sponsored by the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom, Inc.