October 2024 | Issue #157 | |
*make sure to click "View entire message" to get access to the full newsletter!* | | |
School Garden Photos Needed! | | |
|
Maine School Garden Network has a new fundraiser opportunity - the 2026 School Garden of the Month Calendar. This will be a great way to raise funds for your school garden projects! But first, MSGN needs your help - they're looking for the best school garden pictures from schools all over the state! Twelve schools will be selected and featured as School Garden of the Month throughout the year. Each of these schools will also be eligible for the School Garden of the Year title and a spot on the calendar cover! Learn more about the fundraiser and submit your entry here.
Deadline to submit your entry is January 15, 2025.
| |
| | |
|
|
MAITC was proud to support the Maine FFA State Officer Team in attending the National FFA Summit! Check out this article highlighting their experience.
| | |
|
Our annual meeting will be held Wednesday, October 30th at the Maine State Grange in Augusta.
Join us for a night celebrating the promotion of agricultural literacy across our state! Meet and hear from grant winners, find out the winner of our Teacher of the Year award, and enjoy a delicious Grange dinner complete with an amazing assortment of pies!
RSVP to maitc@maine.gov by October 16th.
| | |
|
From the Maine Environmental Education Association - Wabanaki Studies Webpage
On the website, you can find:
• Wabanaki Studies Framework
• Project-based learning modules by grade level
• School project ideas with free accessible classroom materials, and
• Examples of past Wabanaki Studies projects funded by MEEA Mini Grants for Outdoor Learning.
Check it out!
| | | |
|
|
The State of Maine celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day each October. We are part of a growing national movement that is rethinking how we teach and honor this country’s history! If you're looking for some resources to integrate into your classroom, start here:
| | |
|
As we embrace the spirit of fall in our classrooms, Nutrients for Life is thrilled to reintroduce an enriching experience for your students — their Virtual Field Trip, "Fall Fun on the Farm." Transport your learners to the heart of agriculture as they virtually explore three diverse farms, each offering a unique glimpse into the world of farming.
1. Pumpkin Agritourism Farm (Northeast):
Your students will witness the magic of pumpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes, gaining insights into the agricultural practices that make this season so special.
2. Midwest Corn and Soybean Farm:
Next, we'll travel to a Midwest corn and soybean farm. Students will discover the intricacies of large-scale crop cultivation. This segment offers a fascinating look at modern farming techniques and the vital role these crops play in our daily lives.
3. Northwest Sugar Beet Farm:
Our journey concludes at a Northwest sugar beet farm, where students will delve into the world of sugar production. This segment provides a sweet opportunity for students to understand the journey of sugar production
| | | |
Extension Training Programs | | |
|
UMaine Extension Announces Horticulture and Gardening Training Programs
The Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training is designed for those who want to explore a new career, improve their skills, or start their own business in horticulture. “We developed this training with input from industry experts to ensure participants gain practical skills and knowledge that employers value,” said Rebecca Long, Coordinator of Horticulture Training Programs for UMaine Extension. The course combines flexible online learning with a hands-on apprenticeship experience.
The Maine Gardener Training is for individuals who want to deepen their gardening knowledge without any volunteer or apprenticeship requirements. This virtual course provides foundational education and skills to bring your garden to the next level.
Enrollment for both programs is open now! Visit their respective websites for course fees, schedules, and more information. For other information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Extension horticulture team at 207-581-3188 or extension.gardening@maine.edu.
| | | |
|
|
MEEA Mini Grants for Outdoor Learning
These grants provide funding for outdoor gear, field trips, guest speakers, building infrastructure, and much more. And educators have told us these grants remove barriers to bring outdoor learning to their students. Applications open September 16th, 2024.
Applications close on Monday, October 14th.
Email Red Fong at red@meeassociation.org with any questions. More information here.
| | | |
|
|
Bee Grants
These grant programs allow for schools and non-profit organizations to receive support for educational beehives and bee programming so students can observe bees up close and learn about the vital role these pollinators play in our food system. Application closes October 15th. More information here.
| | | |
|
|
Seed Money Challenge Grants
SeedMoney is thrilled to begin accepting applications for the 10th annual SeedMoney Challenge, a 30-day crowdgranting competition open to any public food garden project anywhere in the world. Whether you're associated with a community garden, youth garden, food bank garden or community farm, the SeedMoney Challenge can help your project raise the funds it needs to flourish. Participating projects receive 100% (i.e. 0% fees) of what they raise whether they reach their funding goal or not. On top of the funds they raise, projects compete for 432 grants ranging from $100 to $1000. The more a project raises, the larger the grant it qualifies to receive. Applications close on November 12th. More information here.
| | | |
Fall Field Trips: Find Local Farms | | | |
|
|
Fall is officially here! It is time for cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice candles, hot cider, and the cool crisp air. Maine summers are hard to beat, but fall may be a more popular favorite for the locals!
Some favorite fall festivities may be right in your backyard! From apple orchards, pumpkin picking, or a local corn maze. Check out the Real Maine website to learn how to connect to some of these adventures in your own community! You can search for food, farms, products, and more that are close to you!
| | | |
Maine Nutrition Council Conference | | | |
Harvest of the Month - October is Maine Apples! | | | |
Teacher Resources Section | | |
|
A is for Apples. Students use their five senses to investigate apples, identify and model the parts of an apple, make applesauce, and discover how apples are grown. (Grades K-2)
Storing Winter Squash. Students explore a variety of vegetables that can be stored through the colder months, including roots, alliums, cold crops, and winter squash and compare and contrast how families store food now with how they stored food long ago. (Grades K-2)
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away. Students explore organic and conventional farming practices by analyzing multimedia texts to investigate the differences between conventionally and organically grown apples. (Grades 3-5)
Pumpkins - Not Just for Halloween. Students estimate the size and weight of pumpkins, sprout pumpkin seeds, and make pumpkin pie in a bag. (Grades 3-5)
Three Sisters Garden. Students investigate the "three sisters" crops (corn, beans, and squash) and explore the benefits of planting these crops together. (Grades 3-5)
Johnny Appleseed Would Be Proud. Students will be able to diagnose and develop an action plan for control of an apple disease using their resources. (Grades 9-12)
Apples and the Science of Genetic Selection. Students will distinguish between natural and artificial selection and use a student-centered learning activity to see how science and genetics have been used to artificially select apples for specific traits like color, texture, taste, and crispness. (Grades 9-12)
Looking for more? Explore the Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix HERE
| | |
|
Fall Purple Plow Challenge. The newest Purple Plow Challenge, Save the Soil, is now open! With the challenge of losing over 3 billion tons of fertile topsoil each year, your student teams must design a prototype and construct a system that will reduce topsoil erosion. Entries must be submitted by December 1 and winning teams get awesome prizes.
Read ME Guides. Some of our most recent Read ME Guides are now available on our Teach ME Website. Check them out to find lessons, activities, and other resources to accompany our Read ME books!
FUNdamentals of Farming Game. Farming is a risky business. Droughts and severe storms, equipment problems and outbreaks of animal disease can all occur unexpectedly and impact a farm negatively. This printable classroom board game teaches secondary students about animal disease management. Students take roles as a farmer, accountant, purchaser, or veterinarian to manage a pig farm. They will learn and use methods to prevent disease such as vaccinations and quarantine as they buy and sell animals at the auction.
Food Group Puzzle. This activity can be a supplement to any nutrition lesson. Students will complete puzzles by matching food groups to the nutrients the food group provides and examples of foods within the food group. A digital and paper version is included.
| | |
Funding from this plate has impacted up to 200,000 students annually with lessons, materials, volunteers and teacher training. Annually up to $60K is distributed in grants to schools, FFA, 4-H and other Non-profit programs for Ag education initiatives by the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council.
| |
|
Donate today to The Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Association. The nonprofit, completely volunteer, portion of MAITC. These funds are used directly to support teacher scholarships and recognition, and support volunteer participation for Ag education programs. Your donation is completely tax deductible and you can make a one-time donation or a recurring monthly donation which will support the mission, "to promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public." If you have any other questions or would like to join this group please contact the chairman, Laurie Bowen. Donate Here.
| | |
|
The MAITC Association is organizing a fundraiser for materials and teacher scholarships this year. Hats and T-shirts with the MAITC logo and a picture of the agriculture specialty license plate are available to order for a small donation.
For more information contact Nancy Wright at dnwright191@gmail.com
| |
|
Our Mission Statement
"To promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public"
| | |
|
28 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207)287-5522
| |
| | | |
