Washington County Extension promotes agriculture in the classroom

Washington County Extension is seeking powerful community partners who want to invest in youth education and believe in the value of teaching agriculture in the classroom. By providing students with Agriculture in the Classroom lessons during the school year, through creative lessons, hands-on experiences, and unique FarmChat® technology Washington County Extension & Outreach Educator teaches youth on the important role agriculture has on their daily lives.

This new program started in the 2019-2020 school year and was able to impact the five school districts in Washington County. There were 39 classrooms visited with 725 students and 48 adults experiencing an average of six lessons throughout the year. Topics included: beef, corn, dairy, soybeans, turkeys, water/soil conservation, farm crises of the 1980's, and seed germination.

The 2020-2021 school year has 33 classrooms engaged in zoom lessons with supplies delivered monthly. This year's topics have included: harvest, farm futures, FarmChat® about turkey farming, and the differences between dairy and beef cattle.

There are different levels of giving to support Washington County Agriculture in the Classroom program. Pledges would support the lessons and supplies needed to educate Washington County youth about agriculture and where their food, fuel, and fiber come from.

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 about this program or other ways to support Agriculture in the Classroom, please contact Diane Rinner at drinner@iastate.edu or (319) 653-4811.