Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom

🌼 It's National Pollinator Week! 🐝

Pollinators are essential to ensure most of the world's flowering plants reproduce and pollinate crops that people eat around the world. Did you know that in the United States, pollinators help produce over $29 billion worth of crops every year?

To learn more about pollinators, check out our new Pollinator Ag Mag!

https://www.agintheclassroom.org/media/ccpl4dd3/d26-iaitc_pollinator-ag-mag_web.pdf

This Week's Book Grant Highlight: "It's Corn Picking Time"!🌽

From the "Ag & Technology" category, "It's Corn Picking Time" by Jill Esabaum is a picture book takes young readers on a lively tour of corn harvest following a farmer and her team as they prepare for the season.

Pair this awesome book with our "Buzz Bot Harvester" lesson.

Visit the links below to fill out an application.

Teacher Book Grant Application: http://iaitc.co/bookgrants

Teacher Project Grant Application: http://iaitc.co/projectgrants

IAITC Buzz Bot Harvester lesson: https://www.agintheclassroom.org/general-farming/posts/buzz-bot-harvester/

IAITC Buzz Bot Harvester lesson: https://www.agintheclassroom.org/general-farming/posts/buzz-bot-harvester/

21 from Illinois will be joining 500 of our new friends at the National AITC Conference. IL AITC will be presenting 3 breakout sessions and our Teacher of the Year, Erikka Coletta will be recognized. Watch for updates from the conference!

The wait is finally over! Safe travels and we will see you next week in Providence, Rhode Island for the National Agriculture in the Classroom conference June 22-25, 2026.

This Week's Project Grant Highlight: "Light and Waves"

Goodfield Elementary School used their project grand funding to purchase books and conduct hands-on experiences to help students explore how different light sources affect plant growth during a Light and Waves unit. Students planted and observed grass under varying light conditions, making predictions, recording data, and engaging in discussions about how light impacts living things.

Do you want to create a highly engaging project that immerses students in scientific and agricultural concepts?

Visit the links below to fill out an application.

Teacher Book Grant Application: http://iaitc.co/bookgrants

Teacher Project Grant Application: http://iaitc.co/projectgrants

***This giveaway is now closed***
Illinois History Trivia Time!
Our last giveaway was such a hit, we're continuing the momentum with a fun challenge!

Let's test your knowledge of Illinois history 👇

Question:
What county is home to Illinois' very first state capital?

Like this post, follow our page, and comment your answer by *Monday, 6/22, at Noon* to be entered in the giveaway!

🎉We've reached 10,000 followers! 🎉

Thank you for supporting Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom since 1981! Because of your support, we continue to make a difference, reaching 643,958 students in-person just last year.

A special congratulations to Karlee Wilson from O'Fallon, IL, our 10,000th follower on Facebook! 🎉We hope you enjoy a collection of some of our favorite books, resources, and fun goodies!

You can explore all of our free agriculture-themed resources anytime at the link below:
https://www.agintheclassroom.org/

Thank you for being part of our journey and helping us grow the next generation through agricultural literacy!