New York Agriculture in the Classroom | December 2023 | |
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Applications Now Open for the
Grow with Us Grant
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To connect students with growing food in schools, New York Agriculture in the Classroom is again awarding grow systems through the Grow With Us Grant.
The Grow with Us Grant allows schools to apply for two types of grow systems. Schools should apply for the grow system that would best meet their educational goals, classroom space needs, and consider their experience level in school gardening and curriculum integration.
NYAITC aspires to provide teachers the vehicle and tools to facilitate experiential-learning using agriculture as the context for learning. To achieve this goal, schools are eligible to earn either a bundle of three Tower Gardens or a three tier 2445 Organics SuperGrow System.
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Applications are open now on our website and due Tuesday, January 9, 2024. | |
Upcoming Events and Important Dates |
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DEC 6
Top Cut Beef Experience Submissions Due
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DEC 6
Rocking Horse Farm Virtual Field Trip
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JAN 9
Grow with Us Grant Applications Due
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MAR 22
World Food Prize New York Youth Institute at Cornell University
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Announcing the 2024 Teacher of the Year Award Winner
New York Agriculture in the Classroom is proud it announce Monica Chamberlain of Hamilton Central School District as the 2024 Teacher of the Year Award winner!
Monica Chamberlain teaches a wide variety of subjects including science, math, social studies, and project-based learning in her sixth grade classroom.
The hands-on opportunities she gives her students in all subject areas are un-matched as she incorporates agriculture into her curriculum every day, no matter the subject. She is constantly thinking of new and innovative projects and ideas for her students to captivate and engage them. Monica’s dedication to her students, willingness to learn, and her passion for agriculture make her an extraordinary teacher!
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Announcing the 2023 Grow-NY Youth Competition Winner
New York Agriculture in the Classroom, Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York FFA, and New York 4-H, hosted the third annual Youth Competition during this year’s Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition. Ten youth start-ups presented their innovative business pitches to a panel of judges for a chance to win a $3,000 prize to invest in their enterprise. Selected based on a competitive proposal process, the next generation of business developers, agriculture, food, and technology leaders engaged in this unique program.
Arjun Bindra, from Nassau County, won first prize for his initiative, Evergreen: Turning Trash to Treasure. Bindra's idea uses algae-modified anaerobic digestion to transform organic waste into biogas. "My agriscience class encouraged me to apply to this competition," he said. "I thought it would be a great opportunity to network in the ag industry. I realized farmers, especially in New York, have been feeding me my entire life and I thought I could try to help them create more resiliency."
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Christmas Tree Virtual Field Trip
Join New York Agriculture in the Classroom on Wednesday, December 6 for a virtual field trip to Rocking Horse Farm in Jamesville, New York!
During this trip, students will experience a family owned and operated Christmas tree farm in action. Participating classrooms will tour a Christmas tree farm, learn about the lifecycle of Christmas trees, experience how these trees are harvested and prepared for sale, and experience how Christmas trees farmers can diversify and upcycle products to support their farm.
This Virtual Field Trip will be offered at 10am and 12:30pm.
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Save the Date: World Food Prize New York Youth Institute at Cornell University
The New York Youth Institute at Cornell University engages high school students on the biggest challenges facing people and the planet in the 21st century. They empower students to research issues they care about, propose their own innovative ideas to solve grand global challenges, and explore exciting ways to make a difference in New York and around the world.
Make an impact. Collaborate with other passionate youth. Discover global problems and apply local solutions. Present your ideas to world-class Cornell experts.
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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.
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Find updated resources on our website that will help you implement this contest in your classroom. | |
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Elf on the Shelf- Agriculture in the Classroom Style!
Our friends at Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom have a brand- new Elf on the Shelf resource booklet! This booklet contains 20 agriculture-themed Elf on the Shelf ideas, complete with example photos, materials needed, setup information, book recommendations, ag facts to share, and activities to pair.
Get your free resource booklet and material list HERE!
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Grades K-2
Cultures, Food, and Communities Around the World
In this lesson, students will explore different cultures around the world and their unique traditions centered around food and its preparations. Students discover how food gets from the farm to the grocery store.
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Grades 6-8
My Agricultural Connections
Explore how we are each connected to agriculture through our food, clothing, shelter, fuel, and more. Students will be introduced to agriculture and begin to recognize the depth and complexities of agricultural systems locally and globally.
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Grades 9-12
Enzymes and Bacteria are Whey Cool!
Students will study the science of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria to explore the phenomena, "Why does each variety of cheese taste different when the ingredients are the same?"
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Christmas Tree Book
While picking out their Christmas tree, a couple of curious kids start to wonder where Christmas trees came from. Who invented the first one? How did they become so popular? And how have they changed over the years? This book tells you everything you ever wanted to know about Christmas trees—and everything you never even thought to wonder about.
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The Great Big Water Cycle Adventure
Dive into the great big water cycle story! The same water has been falling as raindrops for billions of years. It travels around our planet again and again, from raindrops into rivers, and from seas to water vapor in mist and clouds. The water on Earth is in glaciers, rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs. It is used by plants, humans, and animals. Follow the journey of a young girl and boy as they float, splash, and slide through the incredible water cycle story. The Great Big Water Cycle Adventure shows the incredible story of water in all its forms, from grey storm clouds to rushing waterfalls, calm lakes, and shining icy glaciers.
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Stay Up To Date!
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