DES MOINES — Many teachers throughout Iowa integrate agriculture into their classrooms to enrich student learning experiences. Through an awards program of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, teachers can be recognized for their efforts.
The Iowa Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award is open to teachers of pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. The award will recognize an Iowa teacher for their integrated efforts to teach students about the importance of food and agriculture and increase students’ agriculture literacy. An agriculturally literate person understands and can communicate the source and value of food and agriculture as it affects quality of life.
Applications will be accepted through Nov. 18 and the winner will be selected and recognized in December 2022. The selected Iowa teacher will receive $500 to support their classroom instruction. They will also receive up to $1,000 to cover expenses to attend the 2023 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference to be held in Orlando, Fla. June 27 – 30, 2023.
Exemplary teachers will showcase innovative ways they integrate food and agriculture in their classrooms. Agriculture can be the vehicle to teach a number of other content areas and apply these concepts in a relevant way for Iowa students. Creative teachers will help students make connections between food production, health, energy systems, economics, the environment, and their interconnectedness in agriculture. Pioneering teachers will help students connect to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers.
Last year’s winner, Megan Johnson, is an elementary school teacher from Lone Tree Community Schools. Her first-grade curriculum included experiments with plants, investigating animal habitats, and virtual field trips to local farms.
New this year, teachers can be nominated by a third party. Any person that knows a teacher who might be a good fit for this award can nominate them. Teachers nominated will be notified that a community member supports their efforts and would like them to apply. Nominated teachers must apply officially by Nov. 18.
For more information or to apply online visit: https://www.iowaagliteracy.org/tools-resources/general/grants
About the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
IALF serves as a central resource for educators and volunteers who want to teach Iowa’s students about agriculture. The mission is to educate Iowans, with a focus on youth, regarding the breadth and global significance of agriculture. Iowa is a leading producer of agricultural products that are essential to feed a growing world population, estimated to reach more than nine billion by 2050. IALF believes it is important for all Iowans to understand the essential role agriculture has in their lives. IALF will support existing agriculture education efforts such as FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom. IALF was created through a joint effort of agricultural stakeholders. Supporters include the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, Corteva Agriscience, GROWMARK, the Iowa Beef Industry Council, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Turkey Federation. For more information visit IALF online at www.IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, and Twitter.
— Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation