The National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference is an opportunity for volunteers, teachers and staff involved in increasing agricultural literacy to learn about new resources, share ideas and network with others involved in agricultural education.
The conference offers a variety of workshops, tours and speakers for participants to attend. The topics vary from education on various commodities and farm products, teaching techniques and subject-oriented options that focus on how teachers can integrate agricultural education into core subjects. Workshops are offered multiple times throughout the conference to ensure attendees have the opportunity to experience sessions that they are interested in.
Tours, called “Traveling Workshops,” offer participants the opportunity to learn about production agriculture, agribusiness, food systems, the green industry and other aspects of agriculture firsthand. Tours vary from year to year, as new conference sites bring new and different opportunities for attendees.
Informal social activities provide great chances to network with other AITC stakeholders from across the nation.
Engaging keynote speakers provide an opportunity to learn from leaders in agricultural literacy education. Luncheons provide an opportunity to learn about successful Agriculture in the Classroom programs nationwide as award winners and grant recipients are recognized. An interest approach fair offers teachers and volunteers the opportunity to dig in and try some activities for themselves or participate in roundtable discussions about local AITC programs.
Pats participants have found that conference attendance has built their enthusiasm, expanded their network of AITC colleagues and partners, helped them set goals for their local programs and find new ways to enhance their success.
We hope that teachers and volunteers involved in Agriculture in the Classroom will consider the opportunity to attend and that other groups, organization and businesses in their area will support their efforts. The cost to attend the conference includes registration fees, hotel rooms and travel expenses. The national conference for 2012 will be held in Loveland, Colorado.
For more information on how you can attend the national conference or on how you can support local educators and volunteers who plant to attend, contact Darlene Arneson.
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