Agriculture in the Classroom
Agriculture is an important part of everyone’s life. Clothing, food, fuel, housing, medicine, and much more are rooted in agriculture. Educators across the country are effectively integrating agriculture into the curriculum. Agriculture has no subject matter boundaries and can become a part of social studies, language arts, science, math, environmental education, art, music, or in a combination of areas that effectively integrate key agricultural principles.
2021 Missouri Agriculture in the Classroom Conference
Missouri educators have the opportunity to attend the Missouri Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Conference on June 15, 2021 at the Missouri Farm Bureau home office in Jefferson City. The event is FREE for Missouri Farm Bureau members and costs $30 for non-Missouri Farm Bureau members.
The one-day event will feature current and former educators along with agricultural leaders leading five breakout sessions and a group session. Presentations will consist of cross-curricular lessons, engagement ideas and learning resources for elementary teachers. Teachers will walk away from this conference with materials in hand to incorporate into their classrooms. A special session for educators of kindergarten through grade 5 will also be included!
The mission of AITC is to “increase agricultural literacy through K-12 education.” AITC programs seek to improve student achievement by applying authentic, agricultural-based content as the context to teach core curriculum concepts in science, social studies, language arts and nutrition. By encouraging teachers to embed agriculture into their classroom, AITC cultivates an understanding and appreciation of the food and fiber system that we all rely on every day. AITC is unique within the agricultural education community as the lead organization to serve the full spectrum of K-12 formal education.
Please click here to begin the registration process.
From the Farm: Virtual Field Trips
To help continue the promotion of agriculture in Missouri classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic, Missouri Farm Bureau has created a series titled “From the Farm: Virtual Field Trips.” This series of informational videos is perfect for Grade 4 through Grade 6 students but can be used in any classroom – virtual or in-person.
Episode 1: Red Barn Ranch (Harrisonville) Pumpkin Patch (Additional Resources)
Episode 2: Bean & Bean Cotton Company (Peach Orchard) / Caruthersville Gin (Caruthersville) || Part 1 || Part 2
Episode 3: St. Louis Science Center
Episode 4: Christmas Tree Farm
Episode 5: Missouri State Fair || Part 1 || Part 2
Episode 6: Wallendorf Home Log Cabin
Episode 7: Rice Farm
Episode 8: Popcorn Farm
Episode 9: Watermelon Farm
Episode 10: Hog Farm
Farm Safety
Farms and ranches are great places to work, as long as you’re doing it safely! Download our safety handbook or contact us to get paper copies.
Curriculum
Curriculum Matrix
The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. Lessons from the Missouri Agriculture in the Classroom are included in this matrix, along with curriculum from other states.
Growing Nation
Middle School and High School teachers: check out this timeline of agriculture complete with a searchable database! This is a great resource for agriculture and social studies teachers.
Resource Catalog
Looking for resources to assist in sharing the message of agriculture? A variety of resource items are available for purchase to use in local efforts.
Agriculture in the Classroom Mini-Grant Program
Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation For Agriculture offers competitive mini-grants of up to $500 for use in Missouri classroom programs K-12 that promote agricultural literacy.
Visit the Log Home
The Missouri Farm Bureau log home tells the story of history and agriculture through historic artifacts, displays, and short videos describing agricultural life for inhabitants of a young state. Field trips and private tours can be scheduled.
My American Farm is a place for young learners to explore and discover our food, fiber and energy.
Free Farm Game! Feed the World from the Palm of Your Hand.
Journey 2050 takes students on a virtual farm simulation that explores world food sustainability.
