“Ag‐Citing Youth About Agriculture” December 2008 Issue Prepared By Karen Byers, ISU‐E Youth Development Specialist 712‐262‐2264 or [email protected] Coordinator Corner Sneak Peak at Ag‐Citing 2009! Mark your calendars. The 2009 Clay County Fair dates are September 12th ‐20th. Ag‐Citing runs the 14th—18th. If you have a date or morning/afternoon preference, please let me know as soon as possible. I’ll accommodate as best I can. I’m not anticipating many changes to the learning station top‐
ics or the barn walkabout experience. However, I am working on some enhancements for the learning stations as well as some more interactive areas for the Ag Learning Center. The sound quality in the Ag Learning Center continues to be a comment on teacher evaluations. Though the extra building space this year improved the sound at the learning stations (and lessened the student distractions) there’s still room to improve. I’m also working on getting a combine experience for the learning center. I’ve taken video footage of a local farmer combining corn and am putting that together with a donated combine cab to create a virtual experience for the kids. Once assembled, they should be able to sit in the cab and experience what it’s like to harvest corn in Iowa! Greetings! With harvest behind us, the ground tilled, and some white patches here and there across the state, it’s easy for us to let the excitement about agriculture rest. I challenge you to be creative in keeping the “ag‐citement” alive. For Classroom Teachers: • Revisit the post‐activities from your Ag‐Citing packet to help enrich learning experiences. • Watch for grant opportunities, such as Farm Bureau, to help with ag‐related field trips and materials. • Check‐out the Iowa commodity websites for fun educational activities to do with your students. • Consider attending the “Teacher’s Ag Academy” in Spirit Lake this next summer for additional information and CEU’s. For Ag‐Citing Ambassadors and Session Leaders: • Your help with Ag‐Citing is greatly appreciated. We hope you keep time in your calendars for Ag‐Citing next year! • Refer a friend to Ag‐Citing. We can always use more hands to help with tours and learning stations. • Consider sharing your time and talents in the classroom with your student group from Ag‐Citing. For Ag‐Citing Sponsors: • Thank you for your continued support to Ag‐Cite Youth About Agriculture! • Your financial contributions have helped provide: Teacher Packets & Classroom Resource Materials Ag Academy Scholarships For Teachers Transportation For School Districts Gate Admission & Bus Parking at the Fair Red Ag‐Citing Vests for Participants New Interactive Educational Displays & Stations New Seating in the Ag Learning Center A Fun New Photo Op Area Outside the Learning Center Monthly Newsletters , Website Presence & More! • Please keep Ag‐Citing in your future plans! We have some fun new additions in the works for next year. Reminder Clean your files and fill mine! No, not literally. This is just a reminder to classroom teachers that if you have not already done so, please return your evaluation form, statistical form, and Ag‐Citing Packet. You can mail or drop the materials off at either the Clay or Dickinson County Extension Office. Thanks So Much & Happy Holidays! Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.