Martha Deichler

My love-affair with Ag in the Classroom began in 1989 when I was a sixth grade teacher in Chula Vista. Although I had never heard of Ag in the Classroom, a friend introduced me to the Imagine this... Story Writing Contest. The contest intrigued me, and the topic was timely. Our class was studying ancient civilizations, and we had just learned how irrigation was the key to civilization in Mesopotamia where agriculture first developed. One student was less than thrilled to learn of this writing assignment. "I only write about sports," Chris declared to me. I challenged him to find a connection between sports and agriculture, and to turn it into a story. The result was a fantastically creative story about how "groundskeepers are the agricultural geniuses of football." His story was selected as a state winner and the recognition he received propelled him into a becoming a more successful student and allowed him to explore his talent as a writer.

After Chris won his award, I attended CFAITC's Summer Ag Institute which changed my career path forever. I knew that agriculture lessons were vital for our students so I accepted a position as coordinator of a large school/community garden. Now, I am thrilled to be a member of the Board of Directors and delighted to see that CFAITC continues to inspire and support California's students. Thank you for your support and your commitment to an organization we all adore.

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