Professional Development
Bring Agriculture to Life in Your Classroom
Experience agriculture like never before in IALF's Summer Teacher Professional Development Workshops. These immersive, two-day workshops take educators beyond the classroom and onto Iowa farms and agribusinesses to explore how agriculture connects to science, social studies, literacy, and everyday life.
Through hands-on experiences and conversations with agricultural professionals, educators gain new insights, classroom-ready resources, and practical strategies to bring real-world learning into their teaching.
What Educators Are Saying
"It's not easy to relate chemistry to everyday things. Now, I have some agricultural examples that I can use to connect right here in our state."
~Rodney W., high school educator
"After engaging with the IALF team at a professional development workshop, I feel like a changed educator! I can now see how agriculture is relevant to students and how it can connect to science, social studies, and my future classroom."
~Max M., Wartburg College elementary education student
Workshop Overview
Each summer, the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) hosts immersive, two-day professional development workshops designed for K-12 teachers, extension staff, and others who work with youth.
These workshops take participants to different regions of Iowa to experience agriculture firsthand. Through on-site visits with farmers, agribusiness leaders, and industry experts, educators gain a deeper understanding of how food, fuel, fiber, and natural resources connect to everyday life. Participants explore real-world agricultural systems while discovering practical ways to bring these concepts into their classrooms.
Using agriculture as the context for learning, the workshops highlight connections to Iowa Academic Standards across science, social studies, language arts, and mathematics. Educators leave with increased confidence, new ideas, and ready-to-use classroom resources that help students explore agriculture while strengthening critical thinking and real-world problem solving.
Participants also benefit from meaningful conversations with agricultural professionals, hands-on learning experiences, and collaborative discussions with fellow educators. The result is a deeper understanding of modern agriculture and new strategies to engage students through relevant, real-world learning.
The two-day, in-person workshop includes on-site tours, interactive activities, classroom resources, meals, and more!
Workshop Dates
Agriculture is Everywhere | June 9-10 | Knoxville, Iowa | REGISTER HERE
Experience how agriculture brings real-world relevance to subjects you already teach. In this two-day professional development workshop, participants will explore engaging, hands-on strategies for integrating agriculture into science, literacy, and social studies. You’ll build a deeper understanding of Iowa’s diverse agricultural businesses and products while gaining practical, classroom-ready ideas that align with your curriculum.
On the second day, learning extends beyond the classroom and into the field. Experience local agriculture firsthand through tours of agribusinesses and visits to livestock and specialty crop farms. These immersive, firsthand experiences help connect agricultural practices and STEM concepts, giving you fresh inspiration and ready-to-use ideas for creating impactful student learning.
June 30 - July 1 | West Des Moines, Iowa
Information coming soon
Exploring Food Systems: Agritourism and Specialty Crops in Education | July 14-15 | Urbana, Iowa | REGISTER HERE
Explore how food systems and agritourism can bring real-world relevance to your classroom. In this two-day professional development workshop, participants will engage in tours of specialty crop farms while making meaningful connections between agriculture, local economies, and real-world applications that support student learning.
On the second day, the focus shifts to classroom application. Participants will learn how to integrate agriculture into science, social studies, math, and literacy while continuing to engage with agriculture industry experts in food production and Iowa’s specialty crops. Through hands-on activities, you’ll gain practical strategies to spark student curiosity and deepen understanding of where their food comes from.
Dairy, Bees, Blooms & Beyond: Integrating Agriculture Across the Curriculum | July 28-29 | Fairfield, Iowa | REGISTER HERE
Discover how diverse agricultural systems can bring real-world learning to life in your classroom. In this two-day professional development workshop, participants will tour a dairy farm, creamery, and specialty crop farms while exploring how food is produced and processed. These experiences provide valuable insight into modern agriculture and its role in everyday life.
On day two, the focus shifts to classroom application. Participants will reflect on tour experiences and learn from industry speakers on topics such as pollinators, cover crops, and soil conservation. Through collaborative, hands-on activities, you’ll connect agriculture to science, social studies, and literacy, while developing engaging, classroom-ready lessons that make learning relevant for students.
Farm to Feast: Understanding the Path of Our Food | August 4-5 | Neola, Iowa | REGISTER HERE
Follow the journey of food from farm to table and discover how it can bring real-world relevance to your classroom. In this two-day professional development workshop, you’ll explore poultry, beef, and produce operations while gaining insight into the science of food production, from how food is raised and grown to the processes that bring it to our plates.
On the second day, the focus shifts to classroom applications. Participants will connect their field experiences to science, social studies, and STEM concepts, making learning engaging and relevant for students. Through interactions with industry speakers in agriculture, technology, and food systems, along with hands-on activities, you’ll develop classroom-ready lessons to take back to your students.
Professional Development Credit
Educators may also choose to earn professional development credit:
One Licensure Renewal Credit: Available through AEA for $55
One Graduate Credit: Offered through Grand View University or Morningside University for $150
Why Educators Attend
- Experience Iowa agriculture firsthand
- Make real-world connections to core subjects
- Gain classroom-ready resources and lesson ideas
- Build confidence teaching about agriculture
- Connect with fellow educators and industry professionals
Register Today
Join educators from across Iowa for an engaging, hands-on professional development experience that brings agriculture and classroom learning together.