Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom Program

09/10/2026

Josh Gonzalez teaches kindergarten at River Trail School of Agricultural Science in Milwaukee. He also serves as a Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom Educator Ambassador.

Josh is the Agriculture Committee Chair at his school. At River Trail School of Agricultural Science, each class teaches a minimum of five lessons from the Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix and creates a science-fair-style board for display at the end of the year. The school hosts an "Ag Fair" after school to showcase everything the students have learned.

Josh was recently recognized by National Agriculture in the Classroom with an Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award.

We are fortunate to have Josh on our team!

09/09/2026

It's APPLE season! 🍎

🍎 Have you ever picked an apple?
🍎 What do you like to eat that has apples in it?

📖 Read Applesauce Day by Lisa Amstutz with your students to learn about apples and what we can make with them.
✂️ Lear about the life cycle of apples with the "Apple Life Cycle Wheel" activity.

🔗⬇️ Find the full lesson in the comments!

09/08/2026

Meet Emily Kamps, one of our Educator Ambassadors and a third grade teacher from Fennimore Community Schools!

Emily uses Ag in the Classroom resources to plan her summer school class. She picks a topic and uses the curriculum matrix to help with lesson planning. She also displays the Wisconsin commodities poster in the hallway at her school. This allows students to look at the poster and compare and contrast their own county to others. Emily uses the book of the year to guide her students in writing and submitting essays for the annual Ag in the Classroom Essay Contest.

Emily recommends checking the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom website and page to find exciting opportunities for conferences, book tours, grant deadlines and lesson ideas!

Thanks for all you do to support agricultural literacy, Emily!

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! 🧑‍🌾

Today we celebrate the hard work and resilience of the men and women who keep our communities thriving, from the field to the classroom and beyond.

09/06/2026

Today is National Read a Book Day! 📖

We recommend checking out our Read and STEAM lessons - 12 hands-on activities, each paired with an accurate ag book!

🔗 https://wisagclassroom.org/wisconsin-agriculture/wigrown/

What are you reading at home or in the classroom? Let us know in the comments!

09/04/2026

It's APPLE SEASON in Wisconsin! 🍎

Our state's apple orchards grow 49 million pounds of fruit every year. Where is your favorite spot to pick fresh apples?

09/03/2026

Check out this Ag in ALL Classrooms grant project at Merrimac Community School

🐟 Trout in the Classroom 🐟
Students raised and released 48 rainbow trout from January-May 2024. Students oversaw daily feeding and water quality monitoring. They also learned about the life cycle, natural habitat, and conservation efforts. Grant money was used to fund equipment necessary for raising trout in a recirculated system and the bus costs for the release field trip.

Do you have a creative project that connects agriculture to your classroom? Apply for an Ag in ALL Classrooms grant today!

🔗 https://wisagclassroom.org/awards-and-grants/grants-classroom/

09/02/2026

Meet the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Ambassador Team!

The Educator Ambassador Team utilizes top-agricultural literacy educators to provide training and advise on the resources, trainings and experiences offered by the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom program.

🍎 Brooke Wittrock, Pre-service Teacher, University of Wisconsin – River Falls
🍎 Kevin Podeweltz, Riverside Elementary School – D.C. Everest
🍎 Mary Cooper, St. Mary's Catholic School, Richland Center
🍎 Travis Sprague, Medford High School
🍎 Sheila Kroseberg, Waupaca High School
🍎 Joshua Gonzalez, River Trail School for Agricultural Sciences, Milwaukee
🍎 Emily Kamps, Fennimore Elementary School

Stay tuned to learn more about our team members and look for opportunities to connect with them throughout the school year!

09/01/2026

Welcome back to school! 🍎✏️🎒

As you settle into your classroom, don't forget about the Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix! Explore our FREE database of standards-based lesson plans and resources for K-12 educators that use agriculture as a lens for teaching science, social studies, career and technical education and nutrition.

🔗 https://wisagclassroom.org/matrix/

08/21/2026

🛒 BACK TO SCHOOL SALE 🍎

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is offering a sale on accurate agriculture books, Ag Mags, educator guides and more - just in time for back to school!

Don't delay - the sale ends on September 6!

Our 2026 Back to School Sale runs from August 6th through September 6th, so don't wait to get your discounted ag literacy resources!