WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – May 5, 2026 – Many students today are several generations removed from the farm, making it harder to understand where their food comes from or how it’s produced. This summer, the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) is helping educators bridge that gap through immersive workshops that connect classroom learning to real-world agriculture. 

IALF’s Summer Teacher Professional Development Workshops are designed for K-12 educators. These two-day, in-person experiences take participants beyond the classroom and onto Iowa farms and agribusinesses, where they explore how agriculture connects to science, social studies, literacy, and STEM. 

Through on-site tours, engaging activities, and conversations with farmers and industry professionals, educators gain a deeper understanding of how food, fuel, fiber, and natural resources are produced, and how those concepts can be integrated into the subjects they already teach. 

“Students are naturally curious about where their food comes from, but many don’t have direct exposure to agriculture,” said Kelly Foss, IALF Executive Director. “When teachers can bring real-world examples into the classroom, it helps students connect what they’re learning to everyday life.” 

Foss said exposure to agriculture helps students discover careers they may not have considered. “From science and technology to business and communications, agriculture offers opportunities that connect directly to what they’re learning in the classroom,” Foss added. 

Each workshop is hosted in a different region of Iowa, offering educators a firsthand look at the diversity of the state’s agricultural systems, from livestock and crop production to specialty farms and food systems. 

Workshops are aligned to Iowa Academic Standards and provide educators with classroom-ready resources and practical strategies to engage students through real-world learning. Participants will have opportunities to collaborate with peers and build lessons they can implement seamlessly into their classroom curriculum. 

2026 Summer Professional Development Workshop Schedule

  • Agriculture is Everywhere | June 9-10 | Knoxville
  • Cultures & Crops: A Worldwide Journey | June 30-July 1 | West Des Moines
  • Exploring Food Systems: Agritourism and Specialty Crops in Education | July 14-15 | Urbana
  • Dairy, Bees, Blooms & Beyond | July 28-29 | Fairfield
  • Farm to Feast: Understanding the Path of Our Food | August 4-5 | Neola 

Educators may choose to earn professional development credit, including licensure renewal credit through AEA or graduate credit through partnering universities. 

Registration is now open, and space is limited. 

For more information or to register, visit https://www.iowaagliteracy.org/tools-resources/general/professional-development. 

These workshops are made possible thanks to the generous support of IALF’s partners, including the, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Turkey Federation, GROWMARK and Corteva Agriscience. 

About the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
 IALF serves as a central resource for all K-12 educators, inspiring the teaching of science, math, social studies, language arts, nutrition, and career and technical education through the lens of agriculture. The mission is to educate Iowans, with a focus on youth, regarding the breadth and global significance of agriculture. IALF believes it is important for all Iowans to understand the essential role agriculture has in their lives. Through Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) efforts, IALF serves as the state representative for the National AITC Organization and collaborates with the Iowa AITC network including County AITC programs engaging with teachers and students across Iowa’s 99 counties.   

IALF’s statewide initiatives are supported by agricultural stakeholders, including the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Turkey Federation, Corteva Agriscience, GROWMARK, Nutrien, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship,  National Agriculture in the Classroom, and others dedicated to strengthening agriculture literacy among Iowa’s educators and students. For more information visit IALF online at www.IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, and X.   

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