Now Seeking Nominations for NYAITC Teacher of the Year Award

Do you know an amazing educator or team of educators who integrate agriculture in their curriculum? The New York Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year nomination period is now open. This top honor is awarded annually to a teacher, or a team of teachers, who are committed to teaching through the lens of agriculture. 

The the top nominee(s) will earn an expense-paid trip to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Nominations or self nominations are due by 5pm on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. 

Mac & Cheese Challenge

The Mac & Cheese Challenge was designed to allow students to learn more about the dairy industry while also exploring their creativity and senses. Students will develop a unique macaroni and cheese recipe, create imaginative marketing for their macaroni and cheese, and submit their recipe for a chance to win $250 and a cheesemaking kit, valued at $125, for their classroom.

Registered classrooms are also eligible for reimbursement of up to $50 for cooking supplies and food supplies. If you are registering more than one class (multiple periods) you are eligible for an additional $25 in reimbursed supplies and ingredients for each class.

Don't Forget to Submit Your Entry for the Top Cut Beef Experience!

The Top Cut: Beef Contest is an engaging cross-curricular educational and culinary experience for grades 6-12. Participating students will design a beef recipe focused on the theme of school lunch and then develop a creative marketing strategy for their product. New York Agriculture in the Classroom and New York Beef Council are excited to offer this contest for the seventh year. 

NEW! New this year is an updated contest format. The Top Cut Beef Experience will be offered in both the fall and spring so that teachers with classes that switch out each semester may participate with all of their classes. The contest will no longer require pre-registration to participate and each teacher that has students submit a completed entry will receive a prize for their classroom.

Schoolyard Sugaring Contest: Identifying Maple Trees

The Schoolyard Sugaring Maple and Photography Contest will return for its eighth year in late winter 2025 with registration opening in early December. For students and educators who would like to tap into this annual contest, fall is a great time to identify maple trees. The magnificent orange and red hues are the first clue a tree is in the Acer family. To identify the different maple species, one must take a closer look at their leaves. 

Visit our website to learn more about identifying maple trees. More resources can be found in the "Lesson Connections" section.

White-Reinhardt Scholarship

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is now accepting applications for White-Reinhardt scholarships to attend the 2024 National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 24-27, 2024.

White-Reinhardt scholarships are designated for full-time educators and/or volunteers who actively participate in classroom ag literacy programs or events. This scholarship provides travel expense funds for educators to attend the national conference and then use the information gained to expand their outreach to students regarding food, fiber and fuel. White-Reinhardt scholarships are valued at $1,200 plus registration costs.

NYCAMH Farm Safety Art Contest

This contest is a chance for students across New York State to bring a safety message to life in their artwork. This year's topic, "High Visibility: Be Safe by Being Seen," is related to making yourself visible when working around equipment or on rural roadways or making your equipment more visible on the road. Students are welcome to create both print and digital designs, and awards will be given in three age categories for both mediums.

Contact Christina Day at christina.day@bassett.org or 607-547-6023 with any questions or to request an accompanying 30-minute virtual lesson for your group or class on the topic.

Purple Plow Challenge

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has launched their new Purple Plow Challenges! Are you up for it? 

This Fall 2023 round they have opened three challenges for classrooms around the country to choose from. By winning each challenge your classroom is eligible for a 3-D Printer and an amazon gift card!