New York Agriculture in the Classroom | April 2023

New York Agriculture in the Classroom

Agricultural Literacy Grants

The Agricultural Literacy Grant was created to help fund your most creative ideas to teach through a lens of agriculture. Submit your great idea to enhance your classroom learning and let New York Agriculture in the Classroom support your endeavor to include agriculture as a context for learning!


An Agricultural Literacy Grant proposal can be anywhere between $10 to a maximum of $1,200. Proposals for the Agricultural Literacy Grant can include, but are not limited to: funding for farm field trips, purchasing agriculturally accurate books, materials for classroom projects, starting a courtyard chicken coop, expanding your school garden project, and more. 


Grant proposals will be reviewed bi-weekly, starting March 29, 2023 until May 10, 2023, or until funding is exhausted. It is suggested to submit your application early!

Learn More and Apply

APRIL 04

Conference Scholarship Applications Due

MAY 1

Purple Plow Challenge Entries Due

MAY 10

Final Deadline for Agricultural Literacy Grants

MAY 19

Green School Grant Applications Due

Conference Scholarships Available


New York Agriculture in the Classroom is looking forward to again supporting teachers to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference.


Teachers from across the state will be selected and supported by New York Agriculture in the Classroom for a full conference scholarship. The conference will bring together teachers from across the country to learn from skilled presenters, engaging keynote speakers, and from one another.


The scholarship includes double occupancy hotel accommodations, round-trip flight, up to 28 hours of CTLE professional development credit, additional teacher and classroom resources from New York Agriculture in the Classroom, and more!


Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. It is suggested to submit your application early. Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Learn More and Apply

2023-2024 Green School Grants


The NYS Association for Reduction, Reuse, & Recycling (NYSAR3) is now accepting applications for projects implemented during the 2023-2024 school year. Multiple projects will be awarded for a maximum of $1,000 per award.


The goal of this grant program is to provide funds to K-12 schools to develop new programs and support existing programs related to the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle), composting, outreach, and plastic free lunches.


Applications must be submitted before Friday, May 19, 2023.

Learn More and Apply

Your Place in Space Challenge


The U.S. Department of Education has announced the launch of the Your Place in Space Challenge. This is the first challenge in CTE Momentum, an annual challenge series to prepare high school students for rewarding careers and increase access to career and technical education (CTE). The Your Place in Space Challenge invites high schools to submit designs for a product or service that will contribute to space missions and exploration.

 

Teams may pursue designs of their choice or find inspiration from one of four suggested areas of exploration — covering topics such as space debris, the International Space Station, space travel, and the environment.

Submissions are due by 6:00 p.m. ET on October 30, 2023. Up to 10 winners will each receive at least $5,000.

Learn More

New Purple Plow Challenge


Pollinator populations are shrinking, and several factors are contributing to this disturbing global trend. There are growing concerns as to what the impact will be on food production. Through this challenge, students will become more aware of the important role pollinators play in our daily lives and how to help protect the various populations. After thoughtful research, students will design, test and demonstrate a solution that will sustain or improve pollinator well-being.


Challenge entries are due Monday May 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Accept the Challenge

Agriculture Teaching Opportunities for September 2023


If you have ever wondered about becoming an Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor, now is the time to reach out to Terry Hughes to learn more. Terry can help you transition from your current agriculture employment to begin directly impacting the lives of young people and supporting the future of agriculture with new energy and enthusiasm the next generation of agriculturalists will bring.


Teaching Opportunities for September 2023 are beginning to be posted across New York State. All postings will be listed on the NY Ag Education website. Many more openings are anticipated throughout the spring and summer, from Long Island to Buffalo to the North Country.

Current Open Teaching Positions

Terry Hughes

Agriculture Education Recruitment and Retention Specialist

518.231.3463

[email protected]

Featured Lessons

Grades 3-5


Backpack Garden


Through project-based learning, students use school resources to construct and grow a school garden to supplement the school Backpack Program with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Teach this Lesson 

Grades 6-8


Aeroponic Engineering and Vertical Farming

Students will use the Engineering Design Process to develop and construct an aeroponic garden to grow a food crop. Students will develop and apply an understanding of plant anatomy and physiology related to plant growth and ultimately discuss the possibilities and limitations of using vertical farming to produce our food.

Teach this Lesson

Grades 9-12


Weighing in on Egg Labels, Supply, and Demand


In this lesson, students will apply a basic understanding of the laws of supply and demand, learn about different types of egg laying farms, and recognize the impact labeling has on consumer choices.

Teach this Lesson

April Book Nook

The Day the Farmer Quit


Farmer Bob is tired of the endless chores on the farm. He and his farmer friends decide to take a vacation and leave their worries and work behind. What will become of the community without the farmers that provide all that they need? One child embarks on a journey to save his town by getting the farmers to return from vacation. This rhyming read-aloud text tells the heartwarming story of a boy that learns he can't live without the hard work of his farmer friends.

Read this Book

Levi Strauss and Blue Jeans


Levi Strauss and Blue Jeans tells the story of the man who made the first pair of blue jeans and changed the way the world dressed! In the mid-1880s, while adventurers rushed off to California to find gold, Levi Strauss followed with an idea of his own. In dramatic, graphic novel format, this book follows Strauss as he works to create a pair of pants sturdy enough for gold miners. Readers will learn how Levi found that not just gold miners, but hard-working people everywhere wanted the durable pants with the pocket rivets.

Read this Book

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