Contact:
Colleen Baker
317-692-7822
317-242-8907
cbaker@infb.org

(Indianapolis) – April 28, 2022 – Indiana Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, will host three educator workshops this June for interested K-12 teachers and Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) volunteers.

AITC is INFB’s grassroots outreach program that helps bring agriculture education into Indiana’s schools. Indiana AITC is a member of the National AITC organization, whose mission is to increase agricultural literacy through K-12 education.

The workshops are designed to prepare educators to integrate available resources and hands-on activities about agriculture into an existing classroom curriculum. The workshops also provide INFB members, who volunteer in schools through the AITC program, with new activities to feature during their classroom visits.

“A variety of new concepts and tools will be available to help students learn more about Indiana agriculture, understand where the food they eat is grown and the important role Hoosier farmers play in their daily lives,” said Lindi Kocher, INFB’s education coordinator. “Each workshop will feature a unique agenda that provides exciting hands-on experiences, free innovative teaching materials and fun field trips.”

The three workshops, noted below, are spread across the state to make them more accessible for educators and volunteers to attend.

• Thursday, June 2, 2022 – East Washington Middle School, New Pekin.

  East Washington School Corporation will showcase their 10-acre solar field and outdoor classroom, also known as the “patch.”

• Thursday, June 9, 2022 – Beech Grove Sr. High School, Beech Grove.

  Author Katie Olthoff will share her writing experiences and how complex agriculture topics are highlighted in her books, including INFB’s 2022 Book of the Year, My Family’s Soybean Farm. The workshop will conclude with trips to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and Garfield Conservatory Park.

• Wednesday, June 22, 2022 – Riley High School, South Bend.                                                                        Shannon Anderson, author of I LOVE Strawberries, will explain her writing process, as well as share useful writing ideas and examples that can be implemented in the classroom. As a former elementary teacher, Shannon will share tales of classroom experiences and proven creative ideas to keep students writing. The workshop will include trips to Pure Green Farms and the Elkhart Environmental Center.

All workshops will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. The cost per person, per workshop is $30, with lunch and teaching materials provided. Educators may earn eight Professional Growth Plan (PGP) Points at each site.

Registration is now open for all three workshops. Visit www.infb.org/events for more event details and to register.

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About Indiana Farm Bureau: For more than 100 years, Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has promoted agriculture in Indiana through public education, member engagement, and by advocating for agricultural and rural needs. As the state’s largest general farm organization, INFB works diligently to ensure a farmer’s right to farm—protecting the livelihood, land, equipment, animals and crops of Hoosier farmers—because agriculture is vital to Indiana’s economy. Learn more at INFB.org