NIFA's Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) program supports a network of organizations which serve nearly 5 million students and 60,000 teachers annually through workshops, conferences, field trips, farm tours, and other educational activities. The program also supports the development, update and upkeep of K-12 curriculum that teachers can use to infuse food and agricultural topics into their everyday math, science and even arts lessons.
Background
The disciplines of agriculture and education have been related for much of our nation's history. When most Americans lived on farms or in small towns, students often did farm chores before and after school; and old schoolbooks have numerous agricultural references. As the farming population began to decline, agricultural emphasis decreased in educational materials as well.
A core group of educators and agriculturalists pushed for more youth education about agriculture. They recognized the interlocking role of farming and food and fiber production with environmental quality, which included wildlife habitat, clean water, and the preservation of forests. This group went on to promote the national effort to increase agriculture literacy in the classroom. Today, AITC continues to help students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society so they will become citizens who support wise agricultural policies.
Objectives
Through a cooperative agreement with the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO), NIFA supports agriculture in the classroom activities at the National and state level to ensure that future generations are agriculturally literate by:
- Encouraging K-12 teachers to integrate information about food and agriculture across curricula
- Supporting a network of partners to carry out AITC programs at State and local levels
- Fostering the development of active and effective AITC programs in each of the 50 states, D.C., and insular areas.
AITC supported activities engage in a variety of issues related to agricultural literacy, such as STEM, agriculture careers, nutrition, and pre-service and professional development opportunities for teachers.
National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization
NAITCO, with state-level programs, provide support and resources to help educators deliver agriculture in their classrooms and beyond, improving student success through agriculture-based content and curricula.
Learn MoreAdditional Resources
NCAL promotes agricultural literacy through research, resources, and educational initiatives, in partnership with NAITCO, the AgClassroomStore, Utah State University, and USDA.
The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is a free database of lesson plans and resources for K-12 educators that integrate agriculture into science, social studies, career and technical education, and nutrition education.
Developing and maintaining a resilient, diverse, and capable agriculture and food science workforce is the most fundamental element for securing a productive and responsive food system along with a healthy population and robust rural economy. USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)...