Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
NAE4-HA Ag Literacy Working Team
LEADERSHIP
Co-Chair: Angel GrangerUniversity of [email protected]
Co-Chair: Betty Jo KrosnickiMichigan State [email protected]
Co-Chair Elect: Sherilyn HoyerIowa State [email protected]
Co-Chair Elect: Autumn StarcherWest Virginia [email protected]
AG LITERACY WORKING TEAM GOALS & OBJECTIVES
• Support 4-H Youth Professionals’ program needs in the area of Ag Literacy
• Compile and share Ag Literacy related resources, curriculums, and fact sheets through NAE4-HA website repository
• Share existing program models that can be replicated
• Recognize 4-H Youth Professionals who excel in Ag Literacy programming
2018 Ag Literacy Specialty Award WinnersNational Award Winner
Jennifer Cushman, Beth Bye, Darlene Yule
University of ConnecticutAg Literacy
Programming at the 4-H Education Center
at Auerfarm
North Central Region Winner
Karla DeaversUniversity of MissouriDig Into Ag-Venture
Day Camps
Western Region WinnerBrittany Sonntag,
Cheryl Butterfield, Nicole Jaynes
New Mexica State University
12- Months of Math
Southern Region WinnerMarla Stillwell
University of KentuckyAgriculture
Apprenticeship S.T.A.R. Program
The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm is a 120-acre educational farm in Bloomfield, CT. Year round, we host 13,000 4-H youth visits to the farm. Half of the students who visit are from families who live below the poverty line in the Hartford region. Our STEM, agriculture curriculum focuses on building background knowledge about agricultural concepts. For 65 days a year, Auerfarm is the classroom for the Montessori Magnet Middle School, in Hartford. Most of the students are from Hartford, CT, a city with a lack of connection between food and its source. We also have classrooms designed specifically for early childhood agriculture instruction. Annually, we host 25 “Farm Explorer” preschool classes for multiple farm lesson visits. Our farm is a site for 200 school field trips per year; teaching classroom teachers and their students about agriculture.
“Dig Into Ag-Venture” day camps were offered at a regional fair on a variety of topics. The camps were developed to help urban children connect with the food they eat and learn how it is produced. The camps give children an opportunity to experience the fair in a new way and have fun while learning about the food they eat. Topics included beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats, swine, grains, bees and honey, poultry, fruits and vegetables. Campers age 5-10 explored a different topic each day. Participants got an in-depth look at where their food comes from and discussed how food travels from farm to plate through a series of hands-on activities. Each camp also included a guided barn tour and a snack connected to the theme. Dig Into Ag-Venture day camps have won numerous awards at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions since they began in 2015.
In 2017, New Mexico 4-H Agents partnered with STEM organizations to host a yearlong seriesaround the importance of math, 12 Months of Math. The first month of the series focused onthe math of agriculture. By compiling resources from the various partners, a Facebook pageand website were developed that showcased daily math facts as well as career connections inthe field. The Agents held numerous events during the agriculture month, including anagriculture showcase and a hands-on booth at the State Fair. Long term evidence of theprogram’s impact was observed by the Agents in subsequent visits to the participatingschools. During such visits the Agents both observed and participated in conversations aroundthe agricultural math facts the youth learned while participating in the program.Furthermore, the preliminary evidence suggests that the impact of this program will indeedhelp to increase the mathematical literacy of youth.
In an effort to increase agriculture awareness and improve agriculture literacy among the military youth population, the partnership between the U.S. Army Child, Youth and School Services and Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service 4‐H Youth Development was expanded. The inspiration for this program was due to the desire to have something of this nature in the Fort Knox area by the Fort Knox Garrison, Commander Sergeant Major. Consequently, the Agriculture Apprenticeship S.T.A.R. (Student Training and Readiness) Program was developed. The Ag S.T.A.R. program offers military youth in 9th‐12th grades the opportunity for agriculture career exploration, agriculture education workshops, related field trips and on‐site job training through an eight week apprenticeship program in agriculture. Areas of agriculture included were: Beef, Dairy, Equine, Gardening, Grain, Horticulture, Poultry and Swine. Local farmers, agriculturalists and volunteer leaders were recruited and paired with the youth in hopes to provide them with a positive agricultural experience.
