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Monthly news & updates
May 2020| Issue #104
*make sure to click "View entire message" to get access to the full newsletter!*
Calendar of Events

MAITC Grant Reports DUE
August 3, 2020
*** If your 2019 grant has been delayed you can receive a 1-year, no-cost extension by emailing the request to  maitc@maine.gov  before your final report deadline. ***

MAITC Summer Teacher's Institute
August 3-7, 2020
University of Maine
Orono, ME

MAITC Grant Application Deadline
August 21, 2020

Maine Nutrition Council Annual Conference
November 18, 2020
Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Event Center
Bar Harbor, ME

Maine School Garden Day
May 1, 2021
Reeds Brook Middle School
Hampden, ME
Visit our Teach ME Food & Farms Lesson Site Developed for Maine Educators
At the start of remote learning we sent out a special email with links to many of our online resources.
If you missed it,
you can  check it out here.

Our databases are filled with tons of resources that you can browse and search. But please let us know if you're looking for something specific, we will do our best to help you and provide as much assistance as we can!
Read ME Agriculture Redesigned
Despite the challenges of our current situation, the Read ME Agriculture program has continued!
Currently we know:
  • 834 total classes signed up
  • 155 total volunteer readers
  • 90 classes completed either in person or virtually
  • 123 classes have received grow kits (supplied by MAITC or through school programs) in person or as part of a distance learning programs

*if you have additional updates or questions about your 2020 Read ME program, please email maitc@maine.gov

Below is another Plant Something for ME success story:
Seeds of Kindness Planting Kits and Science Journals were provided to all 150 students at Harrington Elementary School during remote learning. Students in grades PreK to 6 all received soil, a planting container, flower seeds, and a support stick with instructions for planting. The project, sponsored by the Student Council, hopes to provide students with some bright and colorful flowers along with some hands on learning during this difficult time.

Remember, you can read our brand new Plant Something for ME book right online!
With lessons to go along: PreK-2 lesson or Grades 3-5 lesson

Check out our new Plant Something for ME Read aloud video!
Summer Teacher's Institute!
WHEN: August 3-7, 2020
WHERE: University of Maine, Orono

This professional development opportunity offers 36 contact hours or 3.6 CEUs for recertification for teachers.

We've got some great sessions planned for our 2020 Summer Teacher's Institute! The beloved Jock Robie will be coming back to talk to us about worm bins! He will be doing a harvesting demonstration as well as building worm bins. If you already have a worm bin, bring yours with you to harvest! MAITC will be sponsoring 2 full harvest kits for current worm bin operators!
Jock will have harvesting materials available for purchase as well. If you don't already have a worm bin, get excited to build your own!
Daily Resources available on our Facebook Page
If you're looking for more resources to implement during remote teaching, head on over to Facebook and like Maine Agriculture in the Classroom
We are posting resources on a daily basis - lessons, videos, and activities
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom GRANTS PROGRAM
In 2020, funding is earmarked for grants in 5 categories! This support of Maine agriculture education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 is a direct result of the Maine Agricultural Specialty License Plate.
For more information on our grants program or to view archived lists of past winners, check out the Grants Program page on our website.

Apply for a grant in one of our five categories, click the links below for more information and applications:
Ag Explorer Resources
Did you know 1 in 3 people work in agriculture worldwide?
Ag Explorer has great resources to help you explore the broad range of careers within the industry of agriculture.

Encourage students to think about future careers by taking the Career Finder quiz from Ag Explorer! They can take the 13 question quiz to see what career they match with or browse the hundreds of career profiles and learn about the education needed, classes to take, average salaries, and more for different careers.
Grant Opportunities
Here are some grant opportunities from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture:
  1. Fall 2020 White-Reinhardt Grants for ag literacy projects. These $1,000 grants are intended to create or expand upon existing ag literacy educational programs. The grants are done in partnership with a local county or state Farm Bureau. Applications are due May 30 and more info can be found here.
  2. White-Reinhardt Resource Grants. This grant provides funds for educators to purchase ag literacy materials through the Ag Foundation online store. Fifty educators will win $100 store credits and applications are due June 30. More info here.
Harvest of the Month - May is Maine Wild Blueberries!
Teacher Resources Section
Lessons
The Lifecycle of a Flowering Plant. Grades PreK-2. Students will understand the needs of a seed to germinate and the needs of a plant to grow while exploring the life stages of a flowering plant. Download pdf . Copy Google Doc .

Desktop Greenhouses. Grades 3-5. Students will investigate the importance of light to plants by creating a desktop greenhouse investigation. Download pdf . Copy Google Doc .

Food Scientist for a Day. Grades 6-8. Students will discover some of the science involved in the production of food, explore careers in the area of food science, and develop an ice cream to represent their school. Download pdf . Copy Google Doc .

Apples and the Science of Genetic Selection . Grades 9-12. Using the apple as context, students will compare and contrast natural selection and artificial selection as they learn the history of the apple, how apples are propagated on farms, and how new varieties of apple are developed. Download pdf . Copy Google Doc .
Books
Video

Check out the newest video from How Does it Grow? and learn about how olives grow and how olive oil is made!
Stay Connected with Maine School Garden Network

School gardens are staying connected with us virtually. MSGN is hosting virtual meetings where school gardeners can connect with one another and our team of supporters. Our response is evolving; as we’re hearing from school garden leadership what is most pressing at this moment, our team is compiling the resources to support these needs.
For notes from past meetings, dates & agendas for upcoming meetings, and other related resources, visit their webpage at: msgn.org/covid-19

Upcoming zoom meetings:
May 20th 11am-12:30pm
May 21st 3pm-4:30pm
Maple Curriculum Support:  Tapping into Maple Tradition   - Lessons for K-12 Classrooms.

Looking for field trips? Check out Get Real Get Maine's Food, Farms, and Forest Search

ReTreeUS plants orchards in schools and provides educational programs that empower people to be healthy environmental stewards.

See the Maine Farm to School Census here . Are you participating?

Maine School Garden Network provides resources and technical assistance for all school gardens across Maine!

Search the National Ag in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix for resources

Fuel Up to Play 60 offers educators a wide array of resources they can use to help students make sustainable changes in their school environment.

Agroworld is an agricultural science e-zine developed for the secondary educator.

KidsGardening has ideas about plants and gardens, teacher resources, and grant opportunities.

The Chop Chop magazine and website has easy and healthy recipes.

American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has curriculum, games, and resources available for educators and students.
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 Non-profit, 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,  Maryjane Stafford .  Donate Here .
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
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