New York Agriculture in the Classroom
The Empire Educator
A newsletter for New York's educators interested and committed to teaching through agriculture
             
February 2015
CHS Scholarships to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference
chs foundation logo The CHS Foundation is offering 55 scholarships to teachers across the nation to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference - June 16-19, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky!

Applications are fast and easy to fill out, simply explain why you believe it is important to teach through agriculture. 

The scholarship will cover your entire conference registration, a cost of $360! Applications are due February 27th. Learn more about the conference and fill out the application here.
Agricultural Literacy Week-March 16-20, 2015
Agricultural Literacy Week is fast approaching! If you would like your classroom to participate in this year's focus of fiber reach out to your County Coordinator in the link below. 

Don't miss out this year's beautiful book, Weaving the Rainbow by George Ella Lyon. Your students will be amazing at the experiential learning activity of making a felted marble through a bit of roving, water, and soap.

All of the fiber for this project was sourced from NYS fiber producers and processed by Battenkill Fibers in Greenwich, NY. We are so thankful for all of the donations and generosity of NYS fiber producers!


NEW! Agricultural Literacy Academy
In collaboration with CCE of Broome County, we are excited to announce the NEW Agricultural Literacy Academies to be held regionally across New York State. Funded through a USDA Farm to School grant, these are two-day trainings which will include:

-The complete Food, Land & People Curriculum, aligned to NYS & Common Core Learning Standards
-Panel discussions with area farmers, school food service directors, and special guests
-Books, resources, and online companion materials to enhance your programs
-Premier of the National Agriculture in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix
-Farm tours and the opportunity to connect with the prominent agricultural industries in your region

Dates are continuing to be confirmed for the fall, but please mark your calendars for the following:

Northern New York:
April 10-11 at the Oswegatchie Educational Center
Croghan, NY (Lewis County)

Western New York:
April 30-May 1 at Kelkenberg Farm of Clarence
Clarence, NY (Erie County)

Central New York: 
July 21-22 at the New York State Fairgrounds
Syracuse, NY (Onondaga County)

Capital Region & Downstate Training 
Dates & Locations TBD

A special announcement will be made when registration is open - please be watching for a note from NYAITC!

New York Agriculture in the Classroom Turns 30
New York Agriculture in the Classroom turns 30 years old in 2015! We are happily celebrating this milestone over the course of the year with our partners at various agricultural events throughout the state. We've had the pleasure of sharing the excitement of our 30th birthday with the NYS Agricultural Society, NYS Beef Producers Association, and at the NYS Dairy Princess Pageant. 

If you would like to also celebrate our birthday at one of your events by allowing us to set up a table or say a few words and sing Happy Birthday - please contact Katie Bigness at [email protected]. 

There is no one else we would rather celebrate with than our friends in agriculture, who have supported our educational endeavors since the very beginning! 
 

NY Agriculture in the Classroom | 607-255-9253 | [email protected] | http://www.agclassroom.org/ny
29A Plant Science
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853