The conference allowed teachers and volunteers to participate in workshop sessions and activity stations designed for their grade level or educational venue. Participants who shared a room received two nights of lodging, most meals and materials for $160 each. Teachers who attended were also eligible for up to 21 professional development points.

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom's 2010 State Teacher and Volunteer Workshop is scheduled for June 16-19 at the TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Petersburg Beach. Registration information will be available in early 2010.

 

 

General education teachers in Florida who use agricultural concepts in their language arts, math, science and social studies classes are encouraged to nominate themselves or someone else for Florida Agriculture in the Classroom's 2010 Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award.
   
The deadline for nominations is Friday Dec. 18, 2009. One winner each is selected for elementary, middle school, agriscience middle school and high school. An overall winner is selected from the four and competes for the National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award. Winners receive all expenses paid trips to the Florida State Teacher and Volunteer Workshop June 16-19, 2010 at the TradeWinds on St. Petersburg Beach and the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference June 24-26, 2010 in Baltimore. Visit Florida Agriculture in the Classroom's website for a nomination form.

 

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom is getting technical with a Facebook page, Twitter account and an online blog.
       
Each of these tools will keep followers current on the latest Florida Agriculture in the Classroom happenings, namely workshop and grant opportunity announcements, among other programs.

Followers are encouraged to post their thoughts and join in on any discussions. To follow or become a fan, visit the home page of Florida Agriculture in the Classroom's website.
 

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom named Vina Jean Banks, representative of the Florida Beef Council and director of agribusiness for the Florida State Fair, its new chairman. She succeeds Cara Martin, former assistant director of government and community affairs for the Florida Farm Bureau, who ended her two-year term earlier this year.

Banks has served as chairman of the Agriculture Committee of the Florida Federation of Fairs and Agriculture Committee for three years, and is currently serving as advisor to that committee. She has also been instrumental in the growth of the Hillsborough County Agriculture in the Classroom program.

She has played an active role in her local FFA Chapters and 4-H Clubs and was a 4-H club leader for more than 10 years.  Banks has been a member of the Florida Cattlewomen Association and Hillsborough County Cattlewomen associate for over 28 years and has served in numerous offices, including president, of both organizations.

Serving as the representative of the Florida Beef Council, she will continue to help nurture the Florida agriculture industry by continuing the efforts of Florida Agriculture in the Classroom to educate teachers and students alike about its importance.

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom and Marion County 4-H have developed a nutritional activity newspaper called "Growing Up Healthy with Food from Florida" for students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. Free classroom sets are available to Florida teachers and agriculture industry volunteers. To order copies, please visit Florida Agriculture in the Classroom's website.

Enjoy making these Indian corn napkin rings this fall. They'll add some color to any Thanksgiving table.

Indian Corn Napkin Rings