Anywhere Agriculture Education

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the Frank Robinson Youth Academy at the University of Alberta. Listening to the variety of presenters and the legacy they are creating was a “spark” moment for myself.

FRYA has the goals of:
- Promoting food security
- Build connections with youth and nature
- Support and enhances cultural diversity in agriculture and environmental sectors
- Present experiential learning opportunities to help youth consider careers in agriculture, food production, and the environment

If this interests you, click the link below and learn more about the Academy.
https://www.ualberta.ca/agriculture-life-environment-sciences/programs/frank-robinson-youth-academy.html

Are you a teacher who wants to try integrating agriculture into the classroom, but isn't sure how, or where to start? Book us in for a free presentation, by availability, to present to your class on any agriculture topic! We are able to subject integrate, or do general agriculture presentations. We would love to spread education about agriculture to your school! If interested, please contact us at [email protected], send us a private message, and feel free to browse our website for past presentations ◡̈

*Please note we are located in Central Alberta

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Day 24: Final Day: Little Green Thumbs, K-1 Curriculum Connections

This document, created by the Little Green Thumbs program, a program designed to integrate agriculture education in K-1 classrooms, outlines the curriculum connections found within the program. There are so many, at even a young age, and so many different, engaging, fun and simple ways agriculture can be highlighted, taught and focussed on in schools.

Thank you Little Green Thumbs!

Link to check it out : https://linktr.ee/anywhere.ag.ed

Day Twenty Three: Ag for Life, Agriculture Technology

This lesson plan can be implemented into an AGR 1100 class to develop skills and knowledge about agriculture technology. Students will conduct an inquiry project to address a global issue through research, design and development of agriculture technology. Ag for Life has many resources, and this is a great introductory lesson for a CTS class focussing on agriculture, something more schools should include as an option for students!

Thank you Ag for Life!
Link to check it out : https://linktr.ee/anywhere.ag.ed

Day Twenty Two: Prairie Garden, Junior Farmer Program

This 3-hour guided tour is targeted towards Pre-K to Grade 4 students. They will get the opportunity to explore the farm, local heritage, and sustainable farm culture through hands-on, guided, observation and inquiry activities. Curriculum connections are easy to find within this program, and here are many activities, something for every student to enjoy and connect to agriculture on a level they may never have experienced.

Thank you Prairie Gardens!

Link to check it out: https://linktr.ee/anywhere.ag.ed

Day Twenty-One: Green Certificate
Alberta Education’s Green Certificate program is industry driven, allowing students to explore an area in agriculture and build skills through an apprenticeship style approach. Students can choose their Green Certificate focus from a list of many (Equine, Cow-Calf, Field Crop Technology, Beekeeper and more!) and develop skills in pursuit of achieving a certificate in that area. A great way to get High School students in the agricultural workforce, building skills and learning about agriculture.

Thank you Alberta Education!

Link to check it out :
https://linktr.ee/anywhere.ag.ed

Day Twenty: Picture a Farmer, Women in Ag Documentary
“Picture a Farmer will explore female farmers in Alberta who are taking ownership of the title Farmer. We will speak to women who have stepped up to save the family farm, who have returned to their farm roots after detours to urban careers, and women who are taking their place on Ag boards to ensure women have a say in decision making”- Picture a Farmer. Students will hear stories of women in Agriculture, and can understand the challenges and successes women face in this industry. This resource would be great in Social Studies or English, or even just to hear different perspectives!

Thank you, Picture a Farmer!

Link to check it out : https://linktr.ee/anywhere.ag.ed

Day Nineteen: Nutrients for Life, Feeding the World and Protecting the Environment

This High School Targeted science supplemental resource was created to help students in grade 9-12 explore fertilizers' role in crop production, and examine relationships between fertilizers and regulations. Other topics included within this detailed resource include plant nutrients, land restoration, air quality, climate change and biogeochemical cycles. This resource hosts activities, readings, exploration and more, something for all your students to be interested in and complete!
Thank you Nutrients for Life!

Link to check it out :
https://linktr.ee/anywhere.ag.ed

Day Eighteen: Reynolds Museum, Pioneer Skills

Another great field trip opportunity can be found at Reynolds Museum through their Pioneer Skills experience. Students will become a survivor in early Alberta by using their developed prairie skills of making rope, butter and pioneer toys. It is curriculum linked for Social Studies, but could be implemented into CTS, English, and even Math and Science. This experience would be valuable, unforgettable, and very educational for students as they learn the curriculum through agriculture based activities!

Thank you Reynolds Museum!

Link to check it out :)
https://linktr.ee/anywhere.ag.ed

Day Seventeen: Julia Rothman, Farm Anatomy

Julia Rothman creates a “charming illustrated guide to the intricate microcosm that underpins your dinner plate. From how to properly milk a cow to a taxonomy of squash varieties and faming tools to a morphology of barn cupolas, Rothman’s warm drawings are bound to entertain, educate … and instill in you newfound awe and fascination with rural life.” The Atlantic
“Farm Anatomy delivers a dose of reality. It’s presented in colorful drawings and brief text blocks, making the country life seem accessible and even attractive. Although city gardeners probably won’t be raising cattle or constructing a sheep shed, they will enjoy seeing how to build a bean teepee for climbing legumes, perusing tomato cultivation options, learning to can vegetables, and pondering beehive construction.” Dallas Morning News
Julia Rothman’s beautiful creation offers something for everyone, and would make an incredible resource in a classroom, for student discovery, inquiry or exploration!

Thank you Julia Rothman!
Link to check it out - https://linktr.ee/anywhere.ag.ed

Day Sixteen: Ag for Life. Hay Crop Challenges

This is a grade 6 math lesson, fully created with curriculum links, learning resources and assessment. The lesson guides students through a challenge based scenario to design a hay storage facility. While learning about space and shape, students are also considering the reality of such building, and are learning about authentic agriculture topics, in such a seamless way. There are many more lesson plans and resources to be found from Ag for Life, be sure to give them a browse!

Thank you Ag for Life!

Link to check it out https://linktr.ee/anywhere.ag.ed