Jul 7, 2026 by Sarah Peterson
Indiana Farm Bureau’s mission is to protect and enhance the future of agriculture within the state. With the Ag in the Classroom (AITC) program, teachers and volunteers are equipped with engaging, standards-based lessons so kids understand Indiana agriculture and feel a personal connection with the farmers who feed the world.
“We’re increasingly seeing that there's less connections to farms, that families are becoming further removed. Our resources allow them to make a connection – whether it be pumpkins, corn or a familiar commodity,” INFB Education Coordinator Micah Dillman said.
AITC’s goal is to educate students in preK through 12th grade about agricultural literacy – making that connection to growing crops, food production and potential careers in agriculture.
“In elementary settings, our volunteers are using engaging books that have accurate ag messages to teach students about various farming practices” said Dillman. “Volunteers also incorporate engaging activities that sometimes have core content connections or provide fun, unique experiences for students, whether that's reading, STEM lessons, math concepts, a hands-on lesson or food activities. Food is always an attention getter for any age group of students.”
Dillman said this is achieved through the AITC volunteer base. At any given time, INFB has around 120 AITC volunteers that go into classrooms and libraries or attend community events to teach thousands of students.
“Sometimes we have Ag in the Classroom volunteers that are farmers that have established field trip programs and host youth on their farms while other volunteers facilitate classroom visits,” she said. “Ag in the Classroom lessons can be carried out many different ways by many different types of members.”
Education is not kept solely in the classroom. Dillman said INFB has programs that have been established at local libraries, after school and at community events. She is also seeing more involvement in homeschool co-ops.
“Some counties have a strong farmers market presence where they're incorporating agriculture literacy lessons with youth. Every county has its own strength in what best serves their community,” she said. “A classroom is what you make it – a farmers market, library or homeschool group – it's just educating kids in different settings.”
BECOMING AN AITC VOLUNTEER
Volunteers need to be an INFB member and complete the AITC handbook training with Dillman to cover the basics of what it means to be a volunteer and record keeping.
“It can be a young mother who's looking to be involved in their child elementary classroom, a father who is looking to be involved in their child's homeschool group or grandparents that want to be involved with their grandchild’s school. It could be someone who doesn't have kids but likes working with young people and wants to be involved. It can be any member who wants to facilitate lessons that have an agriculture message with students,” Dillman said.
INFB’s education and engagement team held two AITC workshops in June. Dillman said they will also hold a 2-hour virtual summer workshop via Zoom from 1 to 3 p.m. ET on July 21.
“A benefit of coming to an Ag in the Classroom workshop is all the goodies. You get a bag of different learning tools and resources, books and handouts. Those who register for the online workshop will get a package in the mail,” Dillman said.
Dillman said there is no set time commitment or level of education and experience required to be a volunteer.
“You can do one lesson a year or you could do one lesson a week. It depends on how much time you want to put into it and what you want to make it,” she said.
A VOLUNTEER’S PERSPECTIVE
Colleen Holman of Angola has been an AITC volunteer for over 15 years. When her husband, Ralph, was Steuben County Farm Bureau president, she worked with the AITC advisor and took over when she retired.
“It is a very rewarding job that gives me much pleasure,” she said. “I am passionate to teach children my knowledge and my experiences in agriculture.”
Holman said her favorite topic is the pizza lesson.
“I get into character with my pizza hat, cheese necklace, Italian apron and my homemade pizza carrying it above my head and I totally have the children's attention. Then, we talk about all the food groups and pizza,” she said.
Holman said there is a need for ag education in schools as most elementary children have no idea about farm life. She particularly likes to volunteer with after-school programs.
“These children are mostly town kids and the teacher in charge is looking for something or someone to educate them with fun activities and create interest to keep the children entertained. They've been in school all day, so I bring in an AITC lesson and grab their attention,” she said. “The children really do appreciate my visits. Volunteering takes time and is very rewarding when you see the children connecting with you.”
Jay County Education & Outreach Coordinator Connie Muhlenkamp jokes that her AITC time goes back to the ’80s in a cow suit organizing visits of farmers in the schools for ag week. Muhlenkamp became involved with the AITC program when she transitioned jobs within the school system.
“When I took a librarian instructor position, I would use an AITC lesson for each grade level once a month,” she said. “Often when I would look up lesson plan ideas it came with a cost and AITC lessons are free. Paired with an ag friendly book, these activities were enjoyed by the students.”
One of Muhlenkamp’s favorite lessons is about bees.
“So much can be learned beyond the fact that bees produce honey. We do various pollinating activities and have involved local beekeepers. Often you will find that local beekeepers or farmers are passionate about what they do and are excited to be asked to share their knowledge,” she said.
Four years ago, Muhlenkamp retired but continues to do monthly AITC lessons in the schools along with several other INFB volunteers.
“Currently, I have two new retirees who help me out and we feel like rock stars when the kids get excited when we enter the classroom,” she said.
“Because I have always lived on a farm, I was surprised that many students were unaware where their food comes from. I remind students that farmers are responsible for the food they eat and many of the clothes we wear. If you are passionate about farming and love making a difference, become an AITC volunteer.”
For more information on Ag in the Classroom and volunteering, visit www.INFB.org/AITC or contact Micah Dillman at mdillman@infb.org or 3177-692-7870
(317) 692-7871
P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206
