Cream of the Crop

November 2008

Literacy For Life Teaching Awards
Nomination deadline: November 6, 2008
Application deadline: November 21, 2008
If you're bringing agriculture into your classroom, fill out an application and let us know! California educators at the K-12 grade level, including high school ag teachers, are eligible for California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom's (CFAITC) Literacy for Life Teaching Awards. Administrators who nominate a teacher will automatically receive CFAITC resources for their entire school and will be eligible to receive a free registration for the 2009 California AITC Conference. Winners will have the opportunity to receive many awards, including:

This year's application has been streamlined into an easy 5-step online process. Finish each step and save your progress at your convenience. Just remember to submit the entirety by Friday, Nov. 21, 2008!

Nominate an educator
Start an application

CFAITC Survey Begins
Do you have thoughts and opinions about how to improve CFAITC programs and resources? Any and all feedback will help guide our efforts to spread agricultural literacy. Please take a few minutes today to fill out a survey about how you use our resources and programs. Include your name and address at the end of the survey to receive a window decal with our logo. (Survey answers are kept separate from your contact information. Providing your address at the end of the survey is only required if you wish to receive this gift.) The survey ends Nov. 30, 2008.
Fill out a survey

Cream of the Crop Survey
The Cream of the Crop educator newsletter is also undergoing a survey. Visit www.cfaitc.org/cotc/survey to provide your feedback.

A Fact Sheet a Week...
...that's all we ask! There are currently 28 different CFAITC Fact and Activity sheets on topics ranging from alfalfa to walnuts. Sarah Allard of Sacramento County is using one each week in her third grade classroom. "My goal is for them to know that our industry here in California is diverse and I want them to be able to recognize different commodities," said Sarah. When possible, they're learning about commodities during the time that they are harvested. This week they're learning about rice.

How are you using this resource in your classroom?
Download PDFs
Request a full set

Acres of Adventures Activity Guides
Grades 3-5
Cultivating excitement for science and agriculture, this resource was developed in partnership with CFAITC and other state AITC programs. Each themed guide contains 40 hands-on lessons that can be administered in a 30-minute period with additional ideas for extending the activity time.
View thematic Web activities.
Order from National 4-H Curriculum ($14.50).

Help Grow Your Soup
The National FFA organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Campbell Soup Company has committed $250,000 to National FFA and that mission. Visit www.helpgrowyoursoup.com and for each click on the red barn Campbell will donate $1 on your behalf. Limit of one click per day.

Project Orange Thumb
Open enrollment: Nov. 3, 2008
Application deadline: Feb. 17, 2009
Project Orange Thumb is a grant program that provides community garden groups with the tools and materials they need to reach their goals for neighborhood beautification and horticulture education. Recipients receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars® garden tools, Project Orange Thumb t-shirts for garden members and volunteers, and up to $800 for other materials such as plants, seeds, mulch, and more.
For application information, visit www.fiskars.com. Contact orangethumb@fiskars.com or 800/500-4849 with questions.

Seaworld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards
Deadline: Nov. 28, 2008
Schools and community groups with existing projects that address environmental problems including, but not limited to, habitat restoration, school yard beautification, and education and outreach are eligible to apply for this award. Eight winning groups are selected each year to win $10,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip for three students and one adult leader to a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park for a special awards event. One environmental educator/leader each year receives $5,000.
To view previous winning projects, and to apply, visit seaworld.org.

Cornell University Garden-based Learning: Living Sculpture
Sod cow Want a cow for your school but don't have the resources? A sod cow may be the answer! Living sculpture is art made with plants--a creative blend of both art and science. Cornell University's living sculpture Web site includes classroom and community activities and ideas for topiaries, turf and sod sculptures, trees, and mowing and crop art. Kits to help you get started are available for free and include an inspiration poster, sod sofa instructions, seed packet and 'Get Inspired' stickers.
For more information, visit www.hort.cornell.edu/livingsculpture.
To order a kit, e-mail Max Welcome with your name, organization, contact information, and the number of kits you would like.

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