Des Moines, Iowa – October 19, 2017–Many teachers throughout Iowa integrate agriculture into their classroom to enrich student learning experiences and apply science, social studies, language arts and many other subjects. Through an awards program of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation those excellent teachers can be recognized for their efforts.

The Iowa Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award is open to teachers of grades pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. The award will recognize a 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 mid-November and the winner will be selected and recognized in January 2017. 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 2018 National Agriculture in the Classroom conference to be held in Portland, Maine June 26-29.

Exemplary teachers will showcase innovative ways that they integrate food and agriculture in their classroom. 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, environment and their interconnectedness in agriculture. Pioneering teachers will help students connect to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers.

Last year’s winner, DeEtta Andersen from Center Point-Urbana, went on to receive national recognition for her exemplary teaching efforts. For more information or to apply online visit: https://form.jotform.com/wfett/2017-excel-teach-ag.

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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 9 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, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Silos and Smokestacks Foundation, DuPont Pioneer, GROWMARK, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. For more information visit IALF online at IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, and Twitter.

Source:
Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation

Contact:
Will Fett, Executive Director
Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
WFett@IowaAgLiteracy.org
515-331-4182