New York Agriculture in the Classroom | October 2026 | | |
Register Today!
Mac & Cheese Challenge
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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.
| | | Upcoming Events and Important Dates |
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NOV 1
National AITC Workshop Proposals Due
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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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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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Agricultural Literacy Week 2027 Book Selection
We are excited to announce that Agricultural Literacy Week 2027 will take place March 15–19, 2027, featuring It’s Corn Picking Time! by Jill Esbaum!
This engaging story takes students into the cornfield during harvest and provides opportunities to explore corn production, farming, harvest, and the people and equipment that help bring a crop from field to table.
We look forward to sharing this book with classrooms across New York and celebrating agriculture with students throughout the state!
Mark your calendars for March 15–19, 2027, and stay tuned for Agricultural Literacy Week resources and activities.
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Workshop Proposals Open for the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in 2027!
National Agriculture in the Classroom is seeking workshop proposals for the 2027 “Rooted in Red Dirt” conference scheduled for June 28 - July 1, 2027 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Proposals must reach elementary (grades Pre-K-5), middle school (grades 6-8), high school (9-12), or all grades.
The deadline for submissions is November 1, 2026.
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Celebrate Farm Safety with NYCAMH’s Annual Art Contest
In celebration of National Farm Safety and Health Week, NYCAMH’s annual Farm Safety Art Contest is back! This year’s theme, “Roadway Safety Starts in Your Lane,” encourages students to promote safe practices on rural roadways through art.
Students in grades 5–12 can submit artwork in print or digital categories, with first- and second-place prizes awarded in each age group (grades 5–8 and grades 9–12).
Classes and groups are also invited to participate. NYCAMH offers optional in-person or virtual classroom presentations to help students explore the theme, learn about roadway safety, and spark creative ideas.
| | Entries must include a completed entry form and be submitted by October 30th | |
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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Smart Foodscapes
NCAL is partnering with Smart Foodscapes, a Utah State University-led initiative focused on supporting more sustainable food production systems. Through the collaboration, NCAL is developing classroom resources that help students explore the connections between agriculture, natural resources, sustainability, and food production.
Smart Foodscapes selected NCAL to lead the curriculum development component of the project, expanding the collection of standards-aligned, classroom-ready resources available to Agriculture in the Classroom programs nationwide.
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The new lessons are available in the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix by selecting “Smart Foodscapes”
in the Collections filter.
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Regional Farm to School Workshop
The Central NY & FLX Regional Farm to School Workshop, co-hosted by the NYS Department of Education and CCE-Harvest NY, will bring together educators, food service directors and cooks, school administrators, and local vendors and producers for a full day of learning, collaboration, and delicious local food. CTLE credits for educators will be available.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Cornell University, Statler Hall
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Contact Lizzy Cooper with questions, ec795@cornell.edu.
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Grades
K-2
The Case of the Missing Pumpkin
Students investigate the phenomenon of decomposing pumpkins as a part of the plant's life cycle.
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Grades 3-5
Right this Very Minute
Students read Right This Very Minute—a table-to-farm book about food production and farming—and diagram the path of production for a processed product, study a map to discover where different commodities are grown, and write a thank-you letter to farmers in their local community.
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Grades 9-12
A Home for a Bee
Explore the life cycle and nesting habits of solitary bees by designing and building a mason bee home. Students conduct an experiment to investigate how factors such as location, orientation, and other environmental conditions influence solitary bee nesting preferences.
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Ahhh, Milk!
by Abbe Starr
Follow along with this lyrical journey to discover the many kinds of milk produced around the world. From the more familiar cow and goats' milk, to oat milk, rice milk, coconut milk and more. Ahh, Milk! takes young readers on a geographical and culinary journey that crosses cultures and highlights the way milk brings people together.
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The Prized Pumpkin
by Rick Henningfeld
Tori and Jade are best friends until a friendly competition to grow the most prized pumpkin nearly tears their friendship apart! Come along as they create plans, work with an agronomist and beekeeper, learn from their mistakes and successes all in an effort to grow weird, warty, and ginormous pumpkins. The summer of the prized pumpkin competition will be one Tori and Jade will never forget!
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