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New York Agriculture in the Classroom | November 2015
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Stay Up To Date!
Want to stay up to date with NYAITC? Follow us on social media and never miss out on exciting news and opportunities!
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We want to hear from you!
Are you incorporating agriculture into your classroom? We want to see, tag us on social media @NewYorkAITC on Twitter and NYAITC on Facebook.
If you have any questions, comments, or things you would like to see let us know, we want to help you in anyway possible.
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TSC School Garden Grant Now Available!
An exciting new opportunity is now available for NYS elementary teachers. Tractor Supply Company is launching "Dig It"-- a school garden curriculum.
If you would like to start a school garden, revitalize an already existing garden, or expand your garden program, applications are currently being accepted for classroom programs to begin in February 2016.
The program includes a comprehensive curriculum guide developed by National Agriculture in the Classroom, as well as a
$500 TSC gift card
to purchase the items needed for the school garden.
Applications are due January 1, 2016.
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Kids Growing Food Mini-Grants Available!
Are you interested in creating garden classrooms? Help provide an authentic experience for your students and
apply for a Kids Growing Food Mini-Grant today!
The program encourages applicants to submit proposals for all types of food-based school gardens; unique and non-traditional applications are encouraged to apply. Grant awardees are encouraged to use the funds to purchase materials, raised-bed building supplies, soil, seeds, etc.
For more information and to apply, visit our website! Applications are due December 4, 2015.
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It's Almost Time for Holiday Lessons
You can't have the holidays without agriculture! Enrich your holiday curriculum with FREE educational resources from the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of NY.
Through these multi-disciplinary lessons, students will increase their ecological literacy and their understanding of the landscape in which they live. They'll learn the historical context for decorating with evergreens at the darkest time of year-- a tradition that long predates the religious celebration of Christmas.
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Farm to Institution Market Readiness Training Opportunity
Everyone is interested in purchasing more "locally-grown" food in New York, especially fresh and minimally-processed fruits and vegetables, but also eggs, meat and dairy.
To take advantage of these markets, farmers need to understand product selection, packaging, food safety, insurance and other requirements of schools, government agencies, and food service management companies. Equally important, growers need to establish relationships with end buyers as well as with distributors and food hubs who service them.
The
Farm to Institution Market Readiness Training program will build a network of trainers with the resources and connections to buyers that will enable more New York farmers to connect with schools, colleges, hospitals, daycare and senior meal centers, food banks and more.
Apply today
to take part in this training opportunity for free, applications are due November 30, 2015.
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Thanksgiving Inspired Geography Lesson
Improve your students map skills and make your Thanksgiving Dinner shopping list at the same time with this Thanksgiving inspired lesson from the Ag Literacy Curriculum Matrix!
In this lesson students will identify common Thanksgiving foods and their farm source, determine if those foods can be produced locally, and locate the common origins of their Thanksgiving day dinner.
Very few materials are needed for this quick and easy lesson that can be adapted for any grade level.
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Bringing Bio-Tech to Life Curriculum
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has released a new educational resource you should know about and share with other educators: our "Bringing Biotechnology to Life" Curriculum. These
FREE lessons meet 7th-10th grade national learning standards, though the lessons can be adapted for other age groups. You can download the lessons
here
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The seven Project Based Learning lessons teach learners about DNA, selective breeding over time, biotechnology today, and genetically modified organisms or GMOs.This resource is perfect for science educators and those who want to know more about biotechnology and its role in food production.
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Winter is Coming! Is Your Garden Ready?
Have your students enjoyed their experiences in your school garden? Help protect your garden so it is ready to utilize as soon as the weather breaks in the spring. Check out these
5 tips from Cornell Garden-Based Learning!
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Let it Grow Contest!
Discovery Education and the Nutrients for Life Foundation have joined forces to give six lucky schools a chance to win big with the
Let It Grow Contest from the partnership program,
From the Ground Up:The Science of Soil. The Let It Grow Contest encourages entrants to vote DAILY for a school of their choice for a chance to win an agricultural grant, which could be used towards a school garden or gardening supplies, professional development, and more!
One Grand Prize winning school will receive a $5,000 agricultural grant, half day of professional development with a Nutrients for Life Foundation Regional Representative, an introduction to a local agronomist, Nutrients for Life Foundation prize pack and a celebratory winner event!
Enter Today!
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The USDA Needs Your Help!
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed an educators' guide that meets all core curriculum standards to help elementary, middle and high school understand and prevent the spread of a devastating invasive pest, the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB).
"Beetlebusters: An Educators Guide to Stopping the Asian Longhorned Beetle" offers lesson plans aimed at guiding students to become good stewards of the earth. The materials are available here.
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Looking for a Book to Supplement to Your Lesson Plan?
Gain insight into the lives and diet of early American Settlers, better known as Pilgrims, in
Eating The Plates!
The evolution of diet in early America is a subject that should appeal to children; the glimpses of Pilgrim manners and home life are sure to amuse. Ten tasty, simple recipes provide directions for a full meal.
As an added bonus, this makes a great companion resource if using our Thanksgiving Inspired Geography Lesson!
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Looking for a Good Book? Check out this New Release.
Since 2003, Dr. Tim Elmore and the
Growing Leaders
organization have revolutionized the teaching of leadership concepts with the use of images through their
Habitudes
series.
The National FFA Organization has partnered with Dr. Elmore and Growing Leaders to produce an FFA exclusive resource Habitudes: The Art of Telling Our Story that reinforces concepts of advocacy such as conversation, credibility, respect, and dedication.
Learn how you can further the conservation about agriculture and bolster the development of agricultural literacy with this new book available nationwide November 2015.
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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