Cream of the Crop

February 2008

2008 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference
June 25-28, 2008, Costa Mesa, California
Registration for the National and California AITC Conference is now open! Teachers, volunteers and ag enthusiasts from around the country are invited to join us on an educational adventure, get an up-close look at innovative and cutting-edge farming and ranching practices and explore new and exciting ways to integrate agriculture into your classroom. This year's theme, The Most Bountiful Place on Earth, will be explored over four activity-packed days including workshops, mini-workshops, field trips and make 'n' takes. Invited speakers include A.G. Kawamura, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Barbara Morgan, teacher and astronaut, and Dr. Carl Winter, food toxicologist. Full registration, before May 1, 2008, is $380 and includes 7 meal events, all sessions and the field trip option of your choice.
Register Online
Program at a Glance
Pre- and Post-Conference Tours
Field Trips
Scholarships (California Educators)
Specially-priced Disney Tickets

Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2008
Judy Honerkamp of Bauer Speck Elementary School in San Luis Obispo County has been named California's Outstanding Teacher of the Year for 2008. Honerkamp has been teaching grades 4-6 for 24 years. The following teachers also received recognition for their efforts in increasing awareness and understanding of agriculture among California's students.

Teacher of Excellence for Community Outreach
Jennifer Limberg, Plaza School, Glenn County
Rookie of the Year
Suzi Smith, Mariana Elementary, San Bernardino County
Vocational Agriculture Teacher of the Year
Alyssa Mangan, Elk Grove High School, Sacramento County
Vocational Agriculture Teacher of the Year
Diane Pollock, Venice High School, Los Angeles County

These teachers are planting the seeds of the future. Congratulations!

Celebrate Agriculture in Your Community this Spring
There are many ways to participate or initiate ag functions in your region.

Napa Day at the Farm, Mar. 18, 2008, 9 am - 1 pm
The 5th annual Day at the Farm event will be held at Napa Expo Fairgrounds. Some transportation scholarships for local schools are available. Admission is free with advanced registration.
www.napafarmbureau.org
CFAITC Tribute to Agriculture Fundraising Dinner, Mar. 19, 2008, 5:30 pm
Enjoy dinner at Spataro Restaurant and be a part of the book debut featuring the winning stories of the Imagine this... story writing contest.
www.cfaitc.org/naw
California Agriculture Day at the Capitol, Mar. 25, 2008, Noon
Organized by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and California Women for Agriculture, this year's theme is "Decisions Today, Impacting Tomorrow." On the west steps of the Capitol in Sacramento, presentations include Food Network's celebrity chef Guy Fieri who will speak about "Cooking with your Kids." Ag Day Program starts at 12:00 pm.
Imagine this... Story Writing Contest Awards Ceremony, Mar. 25, 2008, 2pm
State winning students and high school artists will be recognized for their achievements at a special Imagine this... awards ceremony at Capitol Ag Day in Sacramento.
Ag Day Event Ideas
From breakfast with local government and business leaders to a pizza party on a farm, the Ag Day Web site has tried and true ideas for celebrating.
Agriculture Council of America
CFAITC Tour and Luncheon Fundraiser at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Apr. 5, 2008, 10 am
Enjoy a docent-lead tour of the museum followed by a luncheon at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
www.cfaitc.org/naw
Sonoma County Ag Days, Apr. 9-10, 2008, 9 am - Noon
The farm comes to the city for two days of animal exhibits, agricultural demonstrations and hands-on experiences like a hay maze and goat milking.
Sonoma County Farm Bureau 707/544-5575
El Dorado County Farm Day, May 8, 2008
Offered to El Dorado teachers and students free of charge. The Farm Day is designed to support California State Standards for third grade curriculum.
El Dorado County Farm Bureau
7th Annual AG DAY LA, May 14-15, 2008, 9 am - 1 pm
All 3rd-4th grade teachers and their students from Los Angeles County are invited to the adventure at the Fairplex facility (Big Red Barn) in Pomona. Learn how agriculture completes the many pieces (water, plants, bees, fiber, food, and dairy) that form the puzzle of our everyday lives.
www.agdayla.com

Imagine this... Winning Stories
Full text from all six of the state winning stories are now available on the CFAITC Web site. Enjoy them together during story time or independently during free read period and be inspired by these creative adventures. Fully-illustrated soft-cover books will be available in April.
A press release is also available.

California School Garden Network - Garden Resources
Do you need some tools and supplies to get your school garden growing? Visit the California School Garden Network (CSGN) Web site for a list of sources for seeds, greenhouses, garden beds and more. A list of educational resources is also available.
Garden Materials
Educational Resources

Career Ideas
The career opportunities in agriculture-related fields is as diverse as the commodities produced in California. Use these publications to focus the ambition of a young adult in your life.

Work in the Woods Career Brochure
This full-color brochure explores opportunities in the field of natural resources.
The Forest Foundation
Careers in Agronomy: Growing Your Future
Learn about the many opportunities that utilize soil and plant science to soil management and crop production.
American Society of Agronomy (PDF, 267 KB)
USDA Living Science Career Posters
A multitude of possible careers, from agricultural economist to wood scientist, are explored in detail. Available online (PDF downloads), mini-posters (5.5x8.5 inches, gummed pads), or order 40 8.5x11 inch individual posters ($5 plus shipping).
USDA Higher Education Program

For more ideas, browse the careers category in the Teacher Resource Guide.
2008 editions (books and CDs) will be available for pre-order in March.

Forestry Institute for Teachers
Application deadline: Mar. 14, 2008
$20 non-refundable application fee required.
Learn about trees, forestry and their connection to California agriculture. All meals and lodging are provided free for this seven-day residence workshop. Teachers will receive extensive classroom and curriculum materials and a $200 stipend upon completion and implementation of a forest-related curriculum unit or project conducted in their classrooms.

For more information, and to apply, visit www.forestryinstitute.org.

Project WILD Workshops
Project WILD is a wildlife-based conservation and environmental education program that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. Project WILD Activity Guides provide curriculum specially designed for educators of kindergarten through high school youth.

Feb. 15-16, 2008, Monterey County
Project WILD and Aquatic WILD and Elkhorn Slough Teacher Training ($65)
Contact: 831/728-2822
Feb. 23-24, 2008, San Bernardino County
Project WILD Aquatic / Flying WILD / Project WET (Free)
Contact: Carolyn Mead 761/369-9065
Feb. 26, 2008, San Bernardino County
Project WILD Aquatic ($15)
Mar. 1, 2008, Placer County
Flying WILD and Project WILD (Free)
Contact: Mark McReynolds 916/577-8046
May 3, 2008 and June 7, 2008, Placer County
Project WILD and Project WILD Aquatic (Free)
Contact: Mark McReynolds 916/577-8046

For more information, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/projectwild.

Grow Space Crops in Your Classroom
This site provides teachers with instructions and free seeds for growing dwarf "space" crops. Explore plant biology and plant growth systems such as hydroponics. Compare plant growth with conventional crops grown here on Earth and identify other differences between crop production on Earth and in space.
For more information, and to request seeds, visit www.usu.edu
Source: AgroWorld Newsletter
To learn more about space ag, visit Space Agriculture in the Classroom.

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