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
- June 9-10, Marion County
- July 14-15, Benton County
- July 28-29, Jefferson County
- August 4-5, Pottawattamie County
Professional Development Credit
Educators may also choose to earn professional development credit:
One Licensure Renewal Credit: Available through AEA for $50
One Graduate Credit: Offered through Grand View University or Morningside University for $140
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 (coming soon)
Join educators from across Iowa for an engaging, hands-on professional development experience that brings agriculture and classroom learning together.