Agriculture in the Classroom is a grassroots program coordinated nationally by the United States Department of Agriculture. The goal of the program is to help students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society, so that they may become citizens who support wise agricultural policies.

The program is carried out in each state, according to state needs and interests, by individuals representing farm organizations, agribusiness, education and government. In Wisconsin, Ag in the Classroom is staffed and coordinated by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Program activities are carried out in partnership with numerous agricultural organizations, businesses, and government agencies.

The Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom program is jointly funded through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, and support for other agricultural partners.

Purpose

The purpose of the Agriculture in the Classroom program is to provide teachers and students K-12 with an understanding of how their food is produced. Ag in the Classroom seeks to work within existing curricula to provide basic information on our nation's largest industry. Some of the concepts Ag in the Classroom emphasizes are agriculture and history; the geography of agriculture; agriculture and technology; the economics of agriculture; agriculture and the world; careers in agriculture; and agriculture and public policy.

The Ag in the Classroom program is carried out in each state by educators, volunteers, and representatives from agricultural organizations and businesses. In Wisconsin, the program utilizes a network of local volunteers across the state. The USDA supports the state effort by providing coordination, program ideas, and materials and by maintaining a nationwide network of individuals and organizations that actively support the Ag in the Classroom mission.

Resources Available

The Resource Guide provides a variety of information about Wisconsin agriculture, a comprehensive listing of resource materials available for classroom use, a topical listing of agricultural websites, and a county-by-county directory of local contacts.

The Wisconsin Farm and Food Connections is a collection of Lesson Plans for teachers of grades 4-6. Lessons and activities address a variety of agricultural topics and are available free to elementary teachers on CD-ROM or in a spiral-bound printed version.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation has a series of Children's Books promotes and distributes a selection of outstanding children's books about agriculture. Each book has been reviewed and selected based on its accurate, up-to-date portrayal of agriculture. All books are available for purchase at discounted prices.

Wisconsin Farm Facts contains statistical information about Wisconsin's agricultural industry, including farm numbers and average size, economic impact of agriculture, top commodities produced, farm receipts, farmland ownership, and environmental stewardship. The brochure is available free in classroom-size quantities of 25 or less.

The Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award recognizes a Wisconsin teacher for his or her achievement in teaching students the importance of agriculture while integrating agricultural concepts across the curriculum. Certified teachers currently engaged in classroom instruction at the pre-K through 12 levels and Teachers integrating agricultural concepts into non-agricultural curricula are eligible.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation offers Matching Grants of up to $500 to groups sponsoring programs or projects that promote agricultural literacy.

Mini-Teacher Grants up to $100 are offered to Pre-School through High School teachers to fund projects that promote agricultural literacy in the classroom. Grants can be used for innovative lessons, activities, projects, resources, presentations, school fairs and other projects. Projects should focus on integrating agriculture into a variety of curriculum areas.