Professional Development
Register Now! 2023 Summer Teacher Professional Development Workshops
Each summer, IALF partners with host locations to offer two-day professional development opportunities for teachers. The two-day in-person workshop is free to attend and includes on-site tours, hands-on activities, resource materials, lunches and more! One licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. One graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grandview University, and Morningside College for $130.
These fast-paced professional developments will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the new Iowa Core science and social studies standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts, and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning.
June 7-8: The Seed That Made Agriculture History, Storm Lake, Iowa
During day one of the course, participants will learn about the history of corn and corn production. Participants will explore an ethanol plant and antique farm equipment through onsite tours. A second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Participants will continue to learn about corn products and modern-day corn equipment and processing, along with how participants can implement these agricultural concepts into their classrooms. Register for this workshop HERE.
June 8-9: The STEM in Agriculture, Marshalltown, Iowa
During one day of the course, participants will learn about varying parts of Iowa agriculture. Participants will explore crop and livestock production as well as processing as they engage with agriculture STEM. A second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Participants will continue to learn about STEM within the agriculture industry as they engage in hands-on lessons showcasing careers, conservation, farm-to-table, and bioengineering of products. Participants will be encouraged throughout to consider how they can implement these agricultural concepts into their classrooms. Register for this workshop HERE.
June 12-13: Conservation Through Modern Technology, Peosta, Iowa
During day one of the course, participants will learn about the current advancements of Iowa agriculture. Participants will explore precision agriculture, drone technology, and the advanced technology behind the milk they drink. A second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Participants will continue to learn about the technology in the agriculture industry, along with how participants can implement these agricultural concepts into their classrooms. Register for this workshop HERE.
June 15-16: Racing into Agriculture, Pella, Iowa (WAITLIST ONLY-email info@iowaagliteracy.org to be added)
During this two-day course, participants will learn about the fuel and food of Iowa’s agriculture as they tour various sites including a winery, dam, racetrack, and more. Participants will explore agronomic concepts as they learn how corn is used on the speedway. A second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Participants will learn about renewable resources such as wind and solar energy, the manufacturing of agriculture equipment, and more. Register for this workshop HERE.
June 19-20: Processing to Consumer, Manchester, Iowa
During day one of the course, participants will learn about how agricultural products are grown and raised as they tour a farm and a feed mill. Participants will explore farm-to-table concepts of care and processing agricultural goods as they tour a vineyard and a meat locker. A second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Participants will learn about the impacts of using cover crops in Iowa, the cultivation and harvesting of grapes, and more. Register for this workshop HERE.
June 21-22: Learning Through Food and Agriculture Systems, Audubon, Iowa
During day one of the course, participants will learn about varying topics of Iowa agriculture including Hereford cattle breeding, flower production, and even ostrich farming. Participants will explore diverse agribusinesses and farms to learn about the agriculture industry. A second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Participants will learn about the breadth of Iowa agriculture, caring for bees and other pollinators, cover crops, available resources using agriculture as the context for standards-based learning and more. Register for this workshop HERE.
July 18-19: Plants and Animals: Seed to Feed, Clear Lake, Iowa (WAITLIST ONLY- email info@iowaagliteracy.org to be added)
During day one of the course, participants will learn about two very different sides of agriculture as participants will explore the modern technology of a robotic milking parlor while touring a dairy farm and seeing the growing building for baby turtles on a turtle farm. On the second day of the course participants will learn about the distilling process, growing and packing of root vegetables, and other agricultural concepts. This course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Register for this workshop HERE.
July 25-26: From the Field to the Table, Calmar, Iowa
During this two-day course, participants will learn about how Iowa’s agriculture gets from the farm to the table. Participants will explore viticulture, produce production, and tour a Highland cattle farm. A second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Participants will learn about dairy production, mushroom cultivation, transportation of goods, and more. Register for this workshop HERE.
Aug 1-2: Agriculture in Your Community, Fairfield, Iowa
During this two-day course, participants will learn about how Iowa’s agriculture is interwoven into their communities. Participants will explore a variety of agribusinesses and industry as they tour cattle and hog farms, specialty crops, implements, and AgriPlastics to name a few. A second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Participants will learn about conservation, bioplastics, and more. Register for this workshop HERE.
Other Professional Development Opportunities
June 14-15, 2023: Farm to Fair: Behind the Blue Ribbon, Des Moines, Iowa
Offered by Polk County AITC
This course is offered for license renewal OR graduate credit.
The Iowa State Fair has been an integral part of Iowa summers for over 150 years. Students and adults alike flock to the fairgrounds each year to experience the joy and wonder of seeing Iowa’s biggest bull, trying Iowa produced honey, eating an egg on a stick, checking out excellent 4Hprojects, and seeing the blue-ribbon produce grown on Iowa farms. With our class, learn how to take all the excitement of the Iowa State Fair and transfer it to your classroom all year long!
On your day one tours, see how agriculture has changed over the years and learn how technology has been applied to improve agricultural sustainability and produce food, fuel, and fiber. On day two, go behind the blue ribbon as we explore educational opportunities at the Iowa State Fair including the history of Iowa. The second day will also focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to social studies, science, and language, and making it real and relevant to students. You will leave with grade-appropriate, Iowa Core aligned, hands-on activities to use in your classroom along with a deeper personal knowledge of agriculture to share with your students. All snacks, lunch, and transportation provided. Register for this workshop HERE.