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Common Core Standards, agricultural literacy, story books, baseball, Ag Mags, hydroponics, garden in a glove, Nutrients for Life and much, much more were discussed at this great conference. Science teachers from around the state took part in a workshop to learn more about incorporating agricultural concepts into their classroom.
This was a great opportunity to meet with New Hampshire farmers and other agricultural professionals to discuss how NHAITC pursues agricultural literacy throughout the state and how we can expand the effort together. Programs such as Farm Quests, Adopt a Farmer, Farm Tours and School to Farm Days were of interest.
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Lesson Links
Below are links to some helpful lessons and activities.
Free online curriculum and packets available for purchase from the National Association of Conservation Districts. Grades K-6+
Composting activities for grades K-12
"Growing a Nation is an interactive multimedia instructional tool that utilizes innovative technology that links to online teacher resources and complements existing America History textbooks and high school history curricula. Growing a Nation's chronological presentation of significant historical events focuses on the important role agriculture has played in America's development." (MAITC)
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Calendar
Farm & Forest Expo
February 6th & 7th, 2015
Radisson Hotel
Manchester, NH
NH Association of Education for Young Children Spring Conference
April 18th, 2015
Plymouth State College
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Contacts
Debbi Cox
State Coordinator
nhaitc@nhfarmbureau.org
(603) 224-1934
295 Sheep Davis Road
Concord, NH 03301
Deb Robie,
Grafton County Coordinator
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Christmas Trees
"Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away  witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness." (1) German settlers in Pennsylvania are reported to be the first to display a Christmas Tree in America in the 1830's. In 1851, Christmas trees were first sold commercially, taken randomly from the forest. Now we have tree farms dedicated to growing trees for Christmas.
The smell of a farm fresh Christmas Tree is not only a classic sign of the holiday season, but representative of their contribution to our state's economy. In 2012, the value of Christmas trees sold in NH was over $3 million which makes NH 14th in the country for sales. Click here for a list of where to find precut Christmas trees, cut your own trees and other holiday necessities.
According to the NH Christmas Trees website:
- Approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees are sold each year in the United States.
- There are close to 350 million real Christmas trees currently growing on Christmas Tree farms in the United States, and they were all planted by farmers.
- Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states, but 80% of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.
- Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead.
- For every real Christmas tree harvested, 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring.
- There are about 350,000 acres in production for growing Christmas Trees in the U.S., much of it preserving green space.
- Nearly 15,000 farms in the United States grow Christmas trees, employing over 100,000 people full or part time.
- It takes four to 15 years to grow a 6-7-foot Christmas tree, with an average growing time of 7 years.
- Trees provide vital habitat for wildlife, from birds to bears including many endangered and threatened species.
Christmas Trees and tree farms are the perfect vehicle for bringing agriculture in to the classroom with science, math, language arts, social studies, art and economics.
(1) "History of Christmas Trees." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
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Real Trees 4 Kids The story and science of tree farming for grades K-12
Adopt a Forevergreen Tree program where kindergarten students plant their own tree at the Rocks Christmas Tree Farm. The students can watch them grow until they are in 6th grade, at which point the trees are harvested.
(use this link to preview the lesson) If you are interested, let us know and we can email it to you.
Books available for loan by from NHAITC:
(email us to check on availability)
"Christmas Tree Farm" by Ann Purmell (K+)
"The Littlest Christmas Tree" by R. A. Herman (P-3rd)
"The Tree Book for Kids and their Grown-ups"
by Gina Ingoglia (can be adapted for most any age)
"The Legend of the Poinsettia" by Tomie de Paola (P-3rd)
"The Poinsettia From Cutting to Shelf in the Classroom" - a middle school science module that highlights the use of Integrated Pest Management when growing this popular plant.
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