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Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) is a distinctly focused, uniquely structured
organization dedicated to engaging and enlightening students and teachers across
the United States about the importance of agriculture in the world at large, and in
their own lives.
Originally founded in 1981 as a national agricultural literacy program, AITC has had
the essential support, and the tremendous enthusiasm necessary to expand its
outreach, spreading agricultural awareness to more and more classrooms every
year. The USDA is the fundamental home of the AITC program, and continues to
provide leadership, materials and mini-grant funding for AITC programs, in addition
to supporting a nationwide network of individuals and organizations that actively
support the AITC mission.
How is AITC structured across the country?
The sheer size and geographic diversity of our nation makes state programs the
most effective and accurate method of teaching about agriculture. From California’s
grapes to Florida’s citrus to Wisconsin’s dairy products, each state’s agricultural
history and productivity is distinctive and complex. In all fifty states and several U.S.
territories, strong partnerships have been formed with agriculture industry leaders,
businesses, educators, and individuals to create each state’s AITC program.
Each state’s AITC program has been crafted and consulted to provide the most
successful services and opportunities to its population. States use a variety of
methods to inform educators and teach students about the food and fiber system
unique to their region, including teacher training, development of educational
materials and hands-on learning activities, artwork and writing contests, teacher of
the year programs, summer agriculture institutes, online courses and workshops.
What is the AITC consortium?
Serving and connecting both state and USDA programs is the Agriculture in the
Classroom Consortium, the professional association of state AITC programs. The
Consortium was created in 1997 to provide formalized leadership and coordinate
national interests of the states. It also provides a forum for recognizing outstanding
state programs, and encourages all states to have representation and voting rights.
Its formally recognized “Partners” play an important role in support for ag literacy
nationwide.
The Consortium also works to insure continuity of the AITC program at USDA, and to
emphasize the importance of agricultural instruction as part of a wee-rounded
education system. Among its other duties, the Consortium works with the USDA to
plan and annual AITC national conference, which remains a key event in continuing
and growing the momentum of the AITC program. The national conference also
serves as a forum for networking and strengthening state programs by providing and
opportunity for the collaboration of ideas and experiences between states.
The multiple levels of support and connectivity that surround Agriculture in the
Classroom are truly a testament to the important impact being made in classrooms
throughout the country. From the grassroots volunteers, to the USDA in the nation’s
capital, the belief that there is value in teaching our students about agriculture in
today’s ever changing society is the common bond that continues to ensure the
success of Agriculture in the Classroom.
In 1986, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation initiated activities to establish an
active Ag in the Classroom (AITC) program in the state. The mission of Louisiana’s
AITC program is to educate and increase understanding of agriculture and instill an
appreciation for our renewable food, fiber and fuel systems.
In 1998, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation established the Louisiana
Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc as a 501(c) (3) charitable
organization. The Foundation’s purpose is to support the various educational
initiatives of the Ag in the classroom program and to provide a secure funding
source for the program.
Programs/Activities
Educator Workshops
Each year, the Ag in the Classroom program hosts a series of teacher workshops
across the state to provide educators with material needed to integrate agriculture
into their existing curriculum. Lesson plans correlated to the Louisiana
Benchmarks, hands-on ag-tivities, new resources and ideas are all provided at the
comprehensive seminars. Workshops are traditionally held during the months of
September and October. Schools and/or school districts may request a workshop
customized to meets their needs by contacting the Ag in the Classroom office.
Excellence of Agriculture Education Award
Since 2000, AITC has recognized an outstanding teacher for their efforts and
achievements with integrating agriculture across the curriculum. Winners are
selected through an application process. The state winner receives an expense
paid trip to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference, a plaque and $500.
Sow, Grow and Know
Sow, Grow and Know is the bi-annual newsletter published for educators by
Louisiana Ag in the Classroom. The newsletter keeps educators around the state
up to date on the projects, opportunities, and up-coming activities of Ag in the
Classroom. Contact the AITC office to be added to the mailing list.
Educational Resources
There are a variety of lessons, information and materials available through AITC. For
a complete listing of what Louisiana AITC has to offer visit the website at www.aitcla.
org. For additional information on a national level visit the National AITC site at www.
agclassroom.org or the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture site at
www.ageducate.org.
Curriculum Development
Louisiana AITC is always on the lookout for new lesson plans. If you have a great
lesson that incorporates agriculture or would like to participate in our curriculum
development project please contact the AITC office. Stipends are available for all
lessons that are accepted into the program.
Ag Tag
The Ag Tag is a specialty license plate that vehicle owners may purchase to show
that they care about Louisiana Agriculture. To purchase a plate, call the Office of
Motor Vehicles’ Specialty License Plate Unit at 1-877-368-5463. The cost is just
$22.50 in addition to regular vehicle license tag fees. All proceeds benefit the
Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Foundation, Inc.
Ag in the Classroom State Committee
The Louisiana Farm Bureau is the lead organization for AITC in the state. A State
Committee of volunteers meets on a regular basis to plan and implement various
activities. Committee members are nominated by parish Farm Bureaus and
appointed by the State Board. They serve two year terms. The current State Chair is
Maryledden Danos of Lafourche parish.
For Additional Information Contact:
Lynda Danos
AITC State Coordinator
Louisiana Farm Bureau
P.O. Box 95004
Baton Rouge, LA 70895-9004
Phone: 225-922-6503
Fax: 225-922-6229
E-mail: lyndad@lfbf.org
If you have any questions about our program, contact Lynda Danos here
organization dedicated to engaging and enlightening students and teachers across
the United States about the importance of agriculture in the world at large, and in
their own lives.
Originally founded in 1981 as a national agricultural literacy program, AITC has had
the essential support, and the tremendous enthusiasm necessary to expand its
outreach, spreading agricultural awareness to more and more classrooms every
year. The USDA is the fundamental home of the AITC program, and continues to
provide leadership, materials and mini-grant funding for AITC programs, in addition
to supporting a nationwide network of individuals and organizations that actively
support the AITC mission.
How is AITC structured across the country?
The sheer size and geographic diversity of our nation makes state programs the
most effective and accurate method of teaching about agriculture. From California’s
grapes to Florida’s citrus to Wisconsin’s dairy products, each state’s agricultural
history and productivity is distinctive and complex. In all fifty states and several U.S.
territories, strong partnerships have been formed with agriculture industry leaders,
businesses, educators, and individuals to create each state’s AITC program.
Each state’s AITC program has been crafted and consulted to provide the most
successful services and opportunities to its population. States use a variety of
methods to inform educators and teach students about the food and fiber system
unique to their region, including teacher training, development of educational
materials and hands-on learning activities, artwork and writing contests, teacher of
the year programs, summer agriculture institutes, online courses and workshops.
What is the AITC consortium?
Serving and connecting both state and USDA programs is the Agriculture in the
Classroom Consortium, the professional association of state AITC programs. The
Consortium was created in 1997 to provide formalized leadership and coordinate
national interests of the states. It also provides a forum for recognizing outstanding
state programs, and encourages all states to have representation and voting rights.
Its formally recognized “Partners” play an important role in support for ag literacy
nationwide.
The Consortium also works to insure continuity of the AITC program at USDA, and to
emphasize the importance of agricultural instruction as part of a wee-rounded
education system. Among its other duties, the Consortium works with the USDA to
plan and annual AITC national conference, which remains a key event in continuing
and growing the momentum of the AITC program. The national conference also
serves as a forum for networking and strengthening state programs by providing and
opportunity for the collaboration of ideas and experiences between states.
The multiple levels of support and connectivity that surround Agriculture in the
Classroom are truly a testament to the important impact being made in classrooms
throughout the country. From the grassroots volunteers, to the USDA in the nation’s
capital, the belief that there is value in teaching our students about agriculture in
today’s ever changing society is the common bond that continues to ensure the
success of Agriculture in the Classroom.
In 1986, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation initiated activities to establish an
active Ag in the Classroom (AITC) program in the state. The mission of Louisiana’s
AITC program is to educate and increase understanding of agriculture and instill an
appreciation for our renewable food, fiber and fuel systems.
In 1998, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation established the Louisiana
Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc as a 501(c) (3) charitable
organization. The Foundation’s purpose is to support the various educational
initiatives of the Ag in the classroom program and to provide a secure funding
source for the program.
Programs/Activities
Educator Workshops
Each year, the Ag in the Classroom program hosts a series of teacher workshops
across the state to provide educators with material needed to integrate agriculture
into their existing curriculum. Lesson plans correlated to the Louisiana
Benchmarks, hands-on ag-tivities, new resources and ideas are all provided at the
comprehensive seminars. Workshops are traditionally held during the months of
September and October. Schools and/or school districts may request a workshop
customized to meets their needs by contacting the Ag in the Classroom office.
Excellence of Agriculture Education Award
Since 2000, AITC has recognized an outstanding teacher for their efforts and
achievements with integrating agriculture across the curriculum. Winners are
selected through an application process. The state winner receives an expense
paid trip to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference, a plaque and $500.
Sow, Grow and Know
Sow, Grow and Know is the bi-annual newsletter published for educators by
Louisiana Ag in the Classroom. The newsletter keeps educators around the state
up to date on the projects, opportunities, and up-coming activities of Ag in the
Classroom. Contact the AITC office to be added to the mailing list.
Educational Resources
There are a variety of lessons, information and materials available through AITC. For
a complete listing of what Louisiana AITC has to offer visit the website at www.aitcla.
org. For additional information on a national level visit the National AITC site at www.
agclassroom.org or the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture site at
www.ageducate.org.
Curriculum Development
Louisiana AITC is always on the lookout for new lesson plans. If you have a great
lesson that incorporates agriculture or would like to participate in our curriculum
development project please contact the AITC office. Stipends are available for all
lessons that are accepted into the program.
Ag Tag
The Ag Tag is a specialty license plate that vehicle owners may purchase to show
that they care about Louisiana Agriculture. To purchase a plate, call the Office of
Motor Vehicles’ Specialty License Plate Unit at 1-877-368-5463. The cost is just
$22.50 in addition to regular vehicle license tag fees. All proceeds benefit the
Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Foundation, Inc.
Ag in the Classroom State Committee
The Louisiana Farm Bureau is the lead organization for AITC in the state. A State
Committee of volunteers meets on a regular basis to plan and implement various
activities. Committee members are nominated by parish Farm Bureaus and
appointed by the State Board. They serve two year terms. The current State Chair is
Maryledden Danos of Lafourche parish.
For Additional Information Contact:
Lynda Danos
AITC State Coordinator
Louisiana Farm Bureau
P.O. Box 95004
Baton Rouge, LA 70895-9004
Phone: 225-922-6503
Fax: 225-922-6229
E-mail: lyndad@lfbf.org
If you have any questions about our program, contact Lynda Danos here
What is AITC?
Maryledden Danos is the
chairperson for the Louisiana Ag
in the Classroom committee.
chairperson for the Louisiana Ag
in the Classroom committee.
Contact Us I About Us I Materials I Foundation I Awards I Ag Ed Links I Workshops