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New York Agriculture in the Classroom | November 2016
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Stay Up To Date!
Want to stay up to date with NYAITC? Follow us on social media and never miss out on exciting news and opportunities!
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We want to hear from you!
Are you incorporating agriculture into your classroom? We want to see, tag us on social media @NewYorkAITC on Twitter and NYAITC on Facebook.
If you have any questions, comments, or things you would like to see let us know, we want to help you in anyway possible.
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Important Dates:
Nov 22 - Turkey Farm Virtual Field Trip
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Kids Growing Food Applications Now Available
Earn $500 to start, continue, or grow a school garden project! NYAITC's Kids Growing Food Mini Grants are now available and open for submission. Multiple grants will be awarded.
All applications are due Friday, December 16th, and you can
apply on our website.
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Virtual Field Trip to a Turkey Farm
Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom invites you to join them for a virtual field trip to a turkey farm over a Facebook Live Feed. Your students will be able to ask the farmer questions to be answered in real time. This will be appropriate for all grade levels. Join the fun with your class on
November 22nd at 11am EST on the
Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Facebook page.
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Farm to School Message from NYS Comptroller DiNapoli
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture national census of farm-to-school programs, 298 districts in New York, or 43 percent, reported participating in farm-to-school activities. These districts - with 1,336 schools and nearly 759,000 students - reported spending $45 million on local food in New York.
Following Farm to School month, the comptroller's office released reports on both Farm to School Programs across the state as well as a report on New York's booming organic agriculture industry. The reports can be found here: Farm to School, NYS Organic Farming
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It's Time for Holiday Lessons
You can't have the holidays without agriculture! Enrich your holiday curriculum with FREE educational resources from the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of NY.
Through these multi-disciplinary lessons, students will increase their ecological literacy and their understanding of the landscape in which they live. They'll learn the historical context for decorating with evergreens at the darkest time of year-- a tradition that long predates the religious celebration of Christmas.
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Farm to School Grant Opportunity
The USDA is now accepting applications for the Farm to School grant program.
The purpose of this grant program is to assist eligible entities in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. On an annual basis, USDA awards up to $5 million in competitive grants for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs.
For more information, or to apply visit the program website here. Applications are due December 8, 2016!
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Need Tomatoes or Peppers?
The America the Beautiful fund has a few hundred flats of tomatoes and peppers ready for classroom greenhouses and winter growing programs. Plants are free for those willing to pick them up in North Bellmore ,NY (Long Island). If you are in close proximity to North Bellmore and are interested in these free plants, please contact
Marchele Mabry (
Americathebeautifulseeds@gmail.com).
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On the Farm STEM Events Now Accepting Applications
If you're hungry for real world STEM connections and hands-on learning, the On The Farm STEM event is calling.
Discover science brought to life by American beef cattle ranchers, researchers, nutritionists and veterinarians.
Anyone may apply for the experience whether you are a formal educator or a non-formal educator, this program has something for everyone.
The best part is that, they'll pay for it.
If selected, you'll receive free registration, reimbursement of up to $1,000 for approved travel expenses, hotel accommodations for three nights and meals, in addition to educational supplies and resources.
For more information or to apply, visit the
program website
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Applications begin to close December 16th, 2016.
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Pollinator Support and Educational Signage
View a recorded webinar of an informative talk by
Sarah Fiorello (Interpretation Coordinator at Cornell Plantations), Jen Stengle (Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County), and Holly Wise (Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County). Watch their conversation to find out what we can do to support pollinators and educate the public about this very important issue that all are buzzing about.
Watch the
video here.
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Thanksgiving Inspired Geography Lesson
Improve your students map skills and make your Thanksgiving Dinner shopping list at the same time with this Thanksgiving inspired lesson from the Ag Literacy Curriculum Matrix!
In this lesson students will identify common Thanksgiving foods and their farm source, determine if those foods can be produced locally, and locate the common origins of their Thanksgiving day dinner.
Very few materials are needed for this quick and easy lesson that can be adapted for any grade level.
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How Did That Get on My Plate?
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NYS State Parks Announces New Grant Program
New York State is offering state grants to public schools throughout New York State to fund field trips to state parks and historic sites for environmental, history and physical education programming.
The grant is available to Kindergarten-12th grade classes in Title 1 public schools. To date more than 120 schools across the state have applied for the grant. The grant application is available here and is reviewed on a rolling basis for field trips anytime in the 2016-17 school year. For more information visit their website or e-mail parksbusgrant@parks.ny.gov.
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Looking for a Relevant Thanksgiving Activity?
Want to incorporate agriculture and technology into your classroom while exploring the Thanksgiving holiday later this month? Look no further, than
Thanksgiving Day: From Farm to Table.
This interactive graphic guide will educate students and teachers alike on the agricultural value of their Thanksgiving feast.
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