ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Are you an elementary school teacher, a homeschooling parent or guardian of a K-6 child? Would you like to have interactive activities and lessons that incorporate agriculture while meeting Minnesota academic standards? If so, AgMag (https://mnagmag.org/) would be a great tool to add to your classroom and home.

Since 1986, AgMag has been enhancing K-6 curriculums by providing free, non-fiction resources to help increase agriculture literacy. It is based on Minnesota academic standards and National Agriculture Literacy Outcomes.  AgMag features stories about real farmers from across the state of Minnesota and includes information about the plants and animals they produce, along with a glossary, to help kids learn more about the world of agriculture. Two custom AgMags are published for each grade level, kindergarten through 6th grade, to ensure that reading levels and topics are appropriate and encourage unique standards-based learning and curiosity for all.

AgMag is a perfect accompaniment to traditional textbooks and resources, offering close-to-home examples about producers and agricultural business to help kids connect with agriculture and learn more about how food and goods get from the farm to their home. There are free accompanying lesson plans for each issue of AgMag based on Minnesota academic standards and National Ag Literacy Outcomes to allow seamless classroom integration. AgMag provides a unique piece for students to engage with beyond their typical textbooks and materials. The magazine features real-life farmers and businesses from across the state, highlighting people and organizations that kids can feel a connection to.

If you have questions about this or anything horticulturally related topic please reach out to your local Extension Educator. Residents of Stearns, Benton and Morrison Counties can contact Katie Drewitz at wins0115@umn.edu or 320-255-6169 ext. 1.

— Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension