New York Agriculture in the Classroom | November 2026 | | |
Join us next month for a
Christmas Tree Virtual Field Trip
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Join us on December 8, 2026, for a virtual field trip to Rocking Horse Farm! Two sessions will be offered at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM. During the virtual visit, participating classrooms will tour a Christmas tree farm to learn about the lifecycle of Christmas trees, watch how trees are harvested and prepared for sale, and discover how Christmas tree farmers diversify their operations and upcycle byproducts to support their farms.
The first 100 New York classrooms to register will receive an inquiry box to support and extend the learning experience. Don't miss this opportunity to bring agriculture and holiday learning into your classroom!
| | | Upcoming Events and Important Dates |
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NOV 22
Teacher of the Year Applications Due
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NOV 30
Mac & Cheese Challenge Submissions Due
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DEC 1
White-Reinhardt Scholarship Deadline
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DEC 8
Christmas Tree Virtual Field Trip
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Nominate the Teacher of the Year
Do you know an amazing educator or team of educators who integrate agriculture in their curriculum? The New York Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year nomination period is now open. This top honor is awarded annually to a teacher, or a team of teachers, who are committed to teaching through the lens of agriculture.
The top nominee(s) will earn an expense-paid trip to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Providence, Rhode Island.
Nominations or self nominations are due by 11:45pm on Sunday, November 22, 2026.
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Mac & Cheese Challenge
The Mac & Cheese Challenge was designed to allow students to learn more about the dairy industry while also exploring their creativity and senses. Students will develop a unique macaroni and cheese recipe, create imaginative marketing for their macaroni and cheese, and submit their recipe for a chance to win $250 for their classroom.
Registered classrooms are also eligible for reimbursement of up to $50 for cooking supplies and food supplies. If you are registering more than one class (multiple periods) you are eligible for an additional $25 in reimbursed supplies and ingredients for each class.
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Bag it and Tag it! Apple Virtual Farm Trip
Join Virtual Farm Trips on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 1:00–1:45 p.m. ET for the exciting final installment of the six-part New York Apple Virtual Farm Trips series.
Students will visit Hudson River Fruit Distributors in Milton, NY, a multi-generational, family-owned apple orchard and distribution business in the beautiful Hudson Valley. As one of the largest apple shippers on the East Coast, Hudson River Fruit will give students a behind-the-scenes look at how New York apples are packed, prepared for market, and shipped from the orchard to customers.
This live, 45-minute virtual experience is open to students of all grade levels and provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the journey of New York's official state fruit—from orchard to plate!
| | Don't miss this fruitful final stop! Register today and discover how New York's finest apples make their way to tables near and far. | |
Rooted in Reciprocity
A student-led exhibit at Cornell Botanic Gardens, Rooted in Reciprocity, explores the connections between plants, culture, community, and identity through stories shared by Indigenous students. Highlighting the cultural, medicinal, and spiritual significance of plants, the exhibit emphasizes reciprocity—the idea that people and the natural world share a relationship of mutual care.
For educators, the exhibit is a reminder of the value of incorporating Indigenous perspectives, storytelling, and nature-based learning into the classroom. It encourages students to explore cultural connections, appreciate diverse knowledge systems, and recognize the importance of caring for one another and the environment. The exhibit will remain on display through the end of 2027.
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White-Reinhardt Scholarship
Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 White-Reinhardt Scholarships.
This scholarship program provides funds to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. The White-Reinhardt Fund for Education is a special project of the Foundation in cooperation with the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee. It was established to honor two former chairs of that committee, Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, who were leaders in the national effort to improve agricultural literacy
Applications are due December 1st at 11:59 pm. Submit your application today!
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| National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference Scholarship | |  |
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Grades 3-5
Plant Friends
Students explore companion plants, intercropping, and polyculture and make connections to the ancient practices of Indigenous peoples through the Three Sisters Garden.
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Grades 6-8
Spice-up Space Food
Through project-based learning, students work in groups to create a flavorful and nutritious meal for astronauts to eat in space. They experience careers in food and nutrition, food science, and marketing, research different ways to preserve foods, and discover how food is taken to and eaten in space.
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Grades 9-12
Perfectly Imperfect: Apple Grading, Gleaning and Processing
Discover that although grocery store produce appears uniform and perfect, fruits and vegetables naturally grow with many imperfections and are sorted using USDA grading standards. Discover how Grade B produce is used in the food system and explore the practice of gleaning as a way to reduce waste and support communities.
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How Groundhog's Garden Grew
by Lynne Cherry
Little Groundhog, in trouble for stealing from his friends' gardens, is taught by Squirrel to grow his very own. From seed-gathering to planting, harvesting, and eating home-grown fruits and vegetables, children join Little Groundhog in learning about the gardening process. At the end, Little Groundhog invites his animal friends to a Thanksgiving harvest feast.
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The Pig War
by Emma Bland Smith
In 1859, the British and Americans coexist on the small island of San Juan, located off the coast of the Pacific Norhwest. They are on fairly good terms—until one fateful morning when an innocent hog owned by a British man has the misfortune to eat some potatoes on an American farmer's land. In a moment of rash anger, Lyman Cutlar shoots Charles Griffin's pig, inadvertently almost bringing the two nations to war. Tensions flare, armies gather, cannons are rolled out...all because of a pig!
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