Free Literacy Program for PreK-5 Students - Openings Still Available
Classroom visits for the Literacy Project have been taking place across Colorado in the recent weeks. So far, this program is reaching more than 425 classes and 7,500 students. If you haven't yet signed up for this free program for prekindergarten through fifth grade students don't delay! We can accommodate about 50 more classes.
Farmers and ranchers will visit your classroom, either in-person or virtually, to read the book The Sweetest Treat. This book is set in the peach orchards of western Colorado and is based on the true-life story of Mrs. Maxine Lundgren Clark Allen. It was written by Rachel Gabel and illustrated by Liz Banman-Munsterteiger. Each participating class receives a free copy of The Sweetest Treat and a pouch of 100% Colorado Peach Juice to sample with their students.
Curriculum has been developed that will connect with 2020 Colorado Academic Standards for:
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Visual Arts (Observe and Learn to Comprehend; Invent and Discover to Create)
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Social Studies (History; Geography)
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Reading, Writing, and Communicating (All Standards)
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Math (Number and Quantity; Data, Statics, and Probability)
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Comprehensive Health (Social and Emotional Wellness; Physical and Personal Wellness)
Volunteers needed! We are in need of a few more volunteers to complete the classroom visits, both in-person and virtually. If you are interested, please contact Lucee Church, CFA education program coordinator at Lucee@GrowingYourFuture.com.
2022 Literacy Project Resources and Curriculum:
The 2022 Colorado Literacy Project is sponsored by the Colorado Department of Agriculture/USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Bessie Minor Swift Foundation on behalf of The Fence Post magazine, and various individual donors.
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Nutrien's Seed Survivor Program Teaches Students About Growing Healthy Plants
Nutrien Ltd. is teaching the next generation about sustainable agriculture, growing healthy plants, and where food comes from through an educational program called Seed Survivor.
Seed Survivor is a free, curriculum-based learning experience that encourages children in elementary school, specifically grades 3-5, to understand what makes plants grow.
To support flexible learning, Nutrien is offering a free Seed Survivor classroom kit and virtual learning experience for Colorado classrooms this year, while quantities last. The Seed Survivor kit includes a hands-on activity, presentation video, flexible lesson plans, and online student activities. The lessons and activities connect to Colorado Academic Standards for life science, earth and space science, and comprehensive health. We have shipped out about 250 Seed Survivor Kits so far! This is a one-time offer and quantities are limited.
What’s in the kit?
- Seed Survivor cups and lids for up to 30 students
- Sunflower microgreen seeds
- “How Plants Grow” Teacher poster gift
- Planting instructions and directions to the online activities
View the virtual presentation video, lesson plan, curriculum-based activities, games and more at www.SeedSurvivor.com.
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New Colorado Reader Published |
Building Blocks Field Your Fun (Nutrition): Students will explore the five food groups and the eight basic nutrients our bodies need for a healthy, active life. This issue of the Colorado Reader is sponsored by the Colorado Beef Council.
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Check out these lesson plans and resources from the National Agriculture Curriculum Matrix.
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Teachers - Registration Open for 2022 Summer AgriCULTURE Institutes
This is not your ordinary professional development.
The Summer AgriCULTURE Institutes are hands-on, five-day, professional development courses designed for teachers. Attendees learn about Colorado agriculture, tour farms, ranches, and food production facilities, and learn innovative, standards-based ways to incorporate food, fiber, fuel, and natural resource topics into academic curricula!
This is not your typical professional development class. Only two days are spent in a classroom. The rest of the time you are outside, experiencing and learning about agriculture.
SAI 101: Fort Collins – July 11-15, 2022: This is a beginners course and explores agriculture in Northeast Colorado. Did you know that the agriculture industry in Larimer and Weld Counties alone account for nearly $2 billion? Participants will experience as much of that agriculture as can be packed into this 5-day course – beef and dairy production, water, produce, Colorado’s seed industry, and more! Participants will also tour some of Colorado State University’s world-class agricultural research facilities. >>Click here to register for SAI 101: Fort Collins.<<
SAI 101: Pueblo – July 18-22, 2022: This beginners level course will bring the heat – literally and figuratively. While participants are sure to experience the climate of southeastern Colorado in the height of summer, it will be well worth it to also see crops of that region at the height of their production. Pueblo chili, Rocky Ford melons, farm stands, artisan cheeses, coffee, and maybe even a little history are all on tap for the week. >>Click here to register for SAI 101: Pueblo.<<
The registration fee for educators is $95, which includes 2.5 Continuing Education Units (37.5 clock hours). Three graduate level credits from Colorado State University are available for an additional cost (CFA will pay for half of the CSU credits).
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Registration Open for 2022 National AITC Conference
This premier professional development event for Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, volunteers, and professionals in agricultural literacy will provide tools, techniques, and inspiration to include food and agriculture as a lens for learning. Connect with incredible educators and program partners from across the country, and discover the diverse agriculture industry in New York State.
Registration includes all conference meals, breaks, and your selected traveling workshop for June 29, 2022. Pre- and post-conference tours, ticketed experiences, fundraisers, and more are available to add to your conference registration.
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On the Farm STEM - Beef and Dairy FREE Professional Development Opportunities
Discover science brought to life by American farmer and ranchers, researchers, nutritionist and veterinarians. The On the Farm STEM program was designed to equip you with free lessons, activities, online learning tools and enriching professional development events.
On the Farm STEM - Beef Experience This year's On the Farm (OTF) program brings together teams of middle and high school educators together with experts in science education, agricultural science, and Beef Production to envision a model for high school science learning that will inspire today’s students, our next generation of scientists and citizens, to take action and feel empowered to use agriculture to improve society. Application deadline extended to March 17, 2022. Click here to learn more about the Beef Experience.
On the Farm STEM - Dairy Experience Includes virtual professional development workshops and an immersive in-person experience focusing on food and dairy science to increase the relevancy and authenticity of content in science classrooms. This program is designed for high school science educators. Applications close April 15, 2022. Click here to learn more about the Dairy Experience.
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Ways you can support Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom |
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Link your King Soopers/City Market loyalty card and support the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture every time you shop. Visit the King Soopers Community Rewards page to sign up for this free program. |
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You Shop. Amazon Gives. Every time you shop, AmazonSmile donates to the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture. |
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The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education corporation. Our mission is connecting Colorado educators and students to their food, fiber, fuel, and natural resources through the Agriculture in the Classroom® program.
You can support our efforts to advance agricultural literacy by making your tax-deductible gift today at https://bit.ly/givecfa.
Giving is not just about making a donation.
It's about making a difference!
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Thank You, Sponsors!
Listed below are sponsors at the Champion of Education and Honor Roll levels.
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Colorado Foundation for Agriculture | 970-818-3308 | GrowingYourFuture.com |
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10343 Federal Blvd Unit J Box 224, Westminster, CO 80260 |
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