Professional Development

Explore Iowa Agriculture: Engaging Professional Development for Educators

This summer, the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) is offering six dynamic, two-day professional development workshops designed for K-12 teachers, extension personnel, and anyone who educates youth.

Each workshop will take participants to a different region of the state, where they’ll experience agriculture firsthand through immersive farm tours hosted in partnership with local farmers, agribusinesses, and industry experts. Educators will see, touch, and taste agriculture while discovering innovative ways to integrate it into their curriculum to support Iowa Core standards. Engaging discussions with agricultural professionals will provide valuable insights into the industry and its connections to classroom learning.

These engaging, fast-paced workshops emphasize STEM and social studies, using agriculture as a lens to make learning more relevant and impactful. Educators will gain practical strategies to incorporate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts, and math—bringing real-world applications into their classrooms. Participants will leave with ready-to-use lesson plans, student engagement activities, and hands-on learning tools.

The two-day, in-person workshop is completely free and includes on-site tours, interactive activities, resource materials, lunches, and more! Educators can also earn professional development credit:

  • One Licensure Renewal Credit: Available through AEA for $50

  • One Graduate Credit: Offered through Grand View University or Morningside College for $140

Don't miss this opportunity to bring agriculture to life in your classroom! Join us this summer for an unforgettable learning experience, made possible through strong partnerships with local hosts who bring agriculture to life!


Adventures Through Agriculture | June 9-10 | Independence, Iowa

[Register for this workshop HERE.]

  • On the first day, participants will explore the diversity of Iowa agriculture, including dairy farming, flower and vegetable production, and sweet corn. Through visits to farms and agribusinesses, educators will gain insights into the state’s agricultural landscape.

  • The second day will focus on applying these experiences in the classroom, linking agriculture to science and social studies while making learning relevant and engaging for students. Educators will also discover additional Iowa agricultural businesses and products that can enhance their teaching.

Please note: The location in the AEA registration says Hawkeye at the bottom but the workshop location is actually in Independence.

Agriculture is All-Encompassing | June 12-13 | Albia, Iowa

[Register for this workshop HERE.]

  • On day one, educators will dive into Iowa's vibrant bee and honey industry while discovering ways to connect real-world agricultural experiences to science and social studies curricula. They'll gain practical strategies for seamlessly incorporating agricultural into everyday classroom lessons.

  • The second day, participants will explore the diversity of Iowa's agricultural commodities through immersive tours of agricultural manufacturing facilities, meat production operations, a grocery store, a grain elevator, a flower farm, and a working cattle farm.

Conservation and Technology in Agriculture | June 18-19 | Eldridge, Iowa

[Register for this workshop HERE.]

  • Participants will tour sites showcasing conservation efforts, greenhouse production, aquaculture, and genetic technology, gaining a deeper understanding of how science and innovation drive sustainable agriculture.

  • On day two, educators will explore strategies for integrating conservation and agricultural technology concepts into their classrooms while connecting them to key science and social studies standards.

The Science of Food Preservation | July 1-2 | West Des Moines, Iowa

[Register for this workshop HERE.]

  • This workshop will take participants on a journey through Iowa’s agricultural and food heritage, exploring traditional and modern food production techniques such as harvesting, fermentation, preservation, and food marketing.

  • The second day will focus on food science and safety, including food preservation techniques, the use of plant and animal by-products, and ways to connect these concepts to classroom learning.

The Science of Food and Processing Agricultural Products | July 14-15 | Peosta, Iowa

[Register for this workshop HERE.]

  • Educators will dive into the complexities of food production, processing, and distribution, exploring key topics such as temperature control, food safety, packaging, and contamination prevention.

  • On day two, participants will examine Iowa’s role in food production, the agricultural supply chain, and emerging innovations in food science while learning how to incorporate these concepts into student learning, particularly in science and social studies.

The Science of Specialty Agriculture in Western Iowa | August 5-6 | Wall Lake, Iowa

[Register for this workshop HERE.]

  • Participants will visit a dairy farm, a seed company, and a specialty farm, gaining firsthand knowledge of the science and technology driving efficiency, animal care, and agricultural production in Western Iowa.

  • The second day will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners. Participants will learn how agriculture connects to economic, historical, and environmental concepts while providing practical strategies for using agriculture as a foundation for standards-based instruction.