Agriculture in the Classroom lessons reach over 1,000 in October

With the school year well underway, Washington County Extension & Outreach is back in the classrooms delivering Agriculture in the Classroom in-school programming across the county. This is the third year Diane Rinner, Washington County Extension Outreach Educator, is working with the schools to offer this support and enrichment.

Rinner has a full schedule now serving five school districts in the county with over 1,000 students reached a month, from preschool to sixth grade.

“It is exciting to have that number of students in just our third year in Washington County,” said Rinner. “Students have a better understanding of where their food, fuel, and fiber come from. For the students who I have visited for multiple years, their growth and understanding of agriculture careers has grown too which I am proud of.”

October lessons ranged on topics from “many hats of an Iowa farmer,” farm animals vs. non-farm animals, and how all products are transported from the farm to the plates. This past week, second grade students at Mid-Prairie East in Kalona experienced “The Hungry Iowa Caterpillar.” Rinner read this book while students cut and glued Iowa agriculture products from the book on to their own caterpillar. Each lesson students also take a note home to explain what they are learning.

Agriculture in the Classroom is outreach set up to visit classrooms once a month to teach students how agriculture plays an important role in their lives through creative hands-on activities.

Agriculture in the Classroom in Washington County is a partnership between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Washington County and Washington County Farm Bureau. For more information on how to support these lessons as a financial sponsor, volunteer, or agriculture presenter, contact Diane Rinner at drinner@iastate.edu or 319-653-4811.