The Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom program relies on county volunteers to connect with teachers, classrooms and others to share information about agriculture and the resources available. Since the Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom program is partially funded through a grant, it is essential to track the impact our volunteers have. If you are a county Ag in the Classroom coordinator, this page contains information to help make your role easier and more efficient as well as forms you will need to complete.
If you have questions about any of the forms or resources, please contact the state coordinator.
June AITC County Coordinator Updates
BULK BOOK ORDERS ARE DUE JULY 1.
AG IN ALL CLASSROOM GRANTS ARE DUE JUNE 30.
In this update:
Essay Contest Winners
Congratulations to ALL county, district, and state essay contest winners! We are excited to announce the 2024 Essay Contest Results:
4th Grade State Winner
Eleanor Jones-Sato, District 2, Rock County
5th Grade District Winners
Bree Stalsberg, District 3, Grant County
The state essay contest winners will be honored by DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski and the DATCP Board. State-winners and their families, teachers and county coordinator are invited to attend the awards presentation at Port of Milwaukee on July 11. Thank you for your hard work in promoting and supporting the 2024 Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Essay Contest!
Flex Farm Giveaway Winner
Prairie Ridge Intermediate, Reedsburg School District, Sauk County, was the lucky winner of the Fork Farm Flex Farm Hydroponics System! The school received their Flex Farm at a special surprise assembly during their last week of school. Prairie Ridge Intermediate had over 180 essays submitted by 4th and 5th grade students. Congratulations!
Book Order Form
The Bulk Book Orders are due MONDAY, JULY 1.
This year we are kicking off earlier than ever to bring you materials, resources, and books in time for back to school. We are following the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture 2024 Book of the Year – “My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me”, by Roxanne Troup.
Prices have increased on many resources, so take advantage of bulk pricing now!
Bulk Book Order Timeline:
- July 1 - Orders Due via Online Order Form
- July 24 - Book sort day at WFBF (all are welcome...many hands make light work!)
- July 30 - Book pickup at MR Staff meeting by District Coordinators (Thank you!)
Wisconsin Science Festival
The state-wide event happens October 14-20, and this year's theme is Agriculture! It is the PERFECT opportunity to approach a school to share a hands-on agriscience lesson or bring in the Book of the Year and an activity.
Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom will be holding the Fall Volunteer Rally trainings in September to prepare for the Wisconsin Science Festival and Back-to-School. A separate email invitation will be coming in mid-July.
Visit www.wisconsinsciencefest.org to learn more about this year’s festival and how you can get involved.
Grant Opportunities
It’s grant season! Check out these opportunities to earn money for your agricultural literacy project ideas.
- Agriculture in ALL Classrooms – Due June 30, 2024
Wisconsin formal and informal educators can apply for up to $500 for an agricultural literacy project.
- FFA Food for America Grants – Due August 31, 2024
Wisconsin FFA Chapters can apply for up to $500 for a Food for America project/ program.
Summer Educator Experiences
Seeds of Knowledge – Educator Led Agricultural Literacy Workshop
This workshop is for classroom teachers and informal educators (AITC volunteers!)
Wednesday, July 31
SAGES Charter School, Fox Lake
Spend a day learning and networking while exploring food and agriculture as a context for engaging students and teaching standards. Day includes tours, lunch, and teacher-led breakout sessions to bring agricultural literacy to the classroom!
National AITC Virtual Conference Watch Party
July 18
Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Madison
Can’t make it to Utah? No problem! Join AITC volunteers, friends and educators and experience keynote speakers, hear from the National Center for Agricultural Literacy and learn in breakout sessions for grade-specific workshops. We’ll handle the tech while you enjoy a virtual experience “together” with lunch, prizes, and more!
Activity Report Form/Annual Reports
- Annual Agriculture in the Classroom Reports are due October 31, 2024. Begin tracking your activity information by tracking every event on the activity form
- Complete the form after every activity and never forget an event!
- WFBF will email county leaders & presidents all results to SUPPORT annual reports.
Online Store
- As June 15, the Wisconsin AITC Online Store will no longer sell books, pencils or AgMags.
- These materials are still available from American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.
- We are working to offer FREE resources – AG Facts Brochure, AgBadging Field Guide, Exploring Wisconsin Agriculture handouts will be staples in this inventory.
- Timely limited offerings including the NEW Wisconsin Commodity Map Poster and 2024-2025 AITC Calendar (Plus more!) will be added as “limited time” offerings.
- We will ALWAYS give you advance notice of any upcoming resources via this monthly county coordinator update!
- Take advantage of the Bulk Book Order to get your resources for the 2024-2025 School Year!
Website
- A new AITC website is coming!!
- URL, Wisagclassroom.org, is NOT changing.
- County Coordinator and Volunteer Specific info will now be housed at https://wfbf.com/programs/ag-in-the-classroom/resources-for-county-leaders/
- This WILL BE Linked to/from wisagclassroom.org under “Get Involved” on the new site.
Handbooks for County Coordinators
![DSC_1561 DSC_1561](https://wfbf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DSC_1561.jpg)