Many teachers throughout Iowa integrate agriculture into their classroom to enrich student learning experiences and apply science, social studies, language arts and many other subjects. Through an awards program offered by the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, those excellent teachers can be recognized for their efforts.

The Iowa Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award is open to teachers of grades pre-Kindergarten through 12th. The award will recognize a teacher for their integrated efforts to teach students about the importance of food and agriculture and increase students’ agriculture literacy.

An agriculturally literate person understands and can communicate the source and value of food and agriculture as it affects quality of life.

Applications due by Nov. 30
Applications will be accepted in November, and the winner will be selected and recognized in January. Final deadline for sending in an application is Nov. 30. It is requested that you send in applications as soon as possible.

The selected Iowa teacher will receive $500 to support their classroom instruction. They will also receive up to $1,000 to cover expenses to attend the 2019 National Agriculture in the Classroom conference in Little Rock, Ark., June 18-21.

Exemplary teachers will showcase innovative ways that they integrate food and agriculture in their classroom. Agriculture can be the vehicle to teach a number of other content areas and apply these concepts in a relevant way for Iowa students, says Will Fett, executive director of the Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation.

Creative teachers will help students make connections between food production, health, energy systems, economics, environment and their interconnectedness in agriculture. Pioneering teachers will help students connect to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers.

Last year’s winner, Cathryn Carney, has gone on to be selected as a presenter at the national conference and continues her work to integrate agriculture and science. Last year’s award was presented to Carney by Alyssa Johnston of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, a sponsor of the award, and by Will Fett of the Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation.

For more information or to apply online, visit IALF.

Source: Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation