Twelve years ago, I learned about the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom when I attended an education conference. I was looking for good ideas and materials to include in the elementary teaching credential courses I was teaching in the Department of Teacher Education at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock. I didn't realize that this opportunity would introduce me to the people and programs that would become essential parts of my curriculum for years to come!
As I was walking through the conference and came to the section reserved for vendors, I noticed an interesting and colorful information booth and display sponsored by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. I stopped to ask about this organization and their teaching materials. I spoke with Nancy Harris, a delightful person and exceptional fourth grade teacher in Hughson.
Nancy told me she received many excellent materials and support from the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom for her elementary classroom. Then, she explained how she used these resources in her classroom and school. In fact, she even organized an Ag Day for the students in her school.
Nancy Harris came to my class and made an exceptional presentation for my students. The room was quiet and the students were fascinated by all of the wonderful ideas Nancy shared with them about how to teach their students about agriculture. She spoke about how important it was for elementary students to learn about the role of agriculture. She demonstrated the connections between agriculture, the school curriculum, and the state standards and showed us how agriculture is part of so many related businesses and employment. Then, she reminded us that the family members of many of our future students work directly in agriculture or in a business that provides goods and services for agriculture.
During the following class session, I asked for my students' opinions about Nancy's presentation. All of them told me they were enthusiastic and eager to include agriculture in their curriculum. Since that time, I have supervised some of my former students while they were student teachers. Several of them mentioned how they were teaching about agriculture in their classrooms and how much their students enjoyed learning about the topic.
I think one of the most important ideas for all of us was the realization that agriculture is an essential part of everyone's daily life, particularly in California. Therefore, it is easy to demonstrate the importance and relevance of agriculture to students. Students like to be shown the connections between subjects in school and the meaning for their own lives, so the many aspects of agriculture provide interesting and relevant opportunities for teaching and learning.
Despite being involved in the Foundation for many years, I was thrilled to attend my first California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom Conference last November in San Luis Obispo. I toured some of the businesses and farms along the central coast and learned about unique ways to farm, as well as products and services for farmers. I received a remarkable amount of information and excellent instructional materials to share with my students. My respect and appreciation for the goals of the organization increased with each activity and resource.
When I returned from the conference, I distributed many items to my students, student teachers, and master teachers in local schools. They were delighted to learn more ideas about how to teach about agriculture. Attending the conference and having the wonderful opportunities to participate in workshops and field trips was a turning point for me in my respect and appreciation for the value of teaching and learning about agriculture. I also changed many of my food choices for better nutrition and health. Some of the presentations and the information at the conference were focused on healthy eating. We learned how to select and prepare delicious food that is both nutritious and fun to eat. It was encouraging to see that farmers and businesses are making changes to encourage healthy eating in children and adults.
CFAITC presenters continue to dazzle and delight my students with excellent presentations and generous amounts of instructional materials. Learning about agriculture appeals to everyone because plants, animals, and food products are essential to our daily lives.
Through the generosity of the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom and their sponsors, agriculture education is making a difference in classrooms and in families. The donations of excellent teaching materials and the sponsorship of speakers and conferences are improving the quality of life and the health of Californians.
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