July 31st through August 4th, 23 educators grades K-12, along with other participants at the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Summer Institute, hosted at the University of Maine, learned how to incorporate information on Maine agriculture into their classrooms.
(Pictured above: Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Institute participants enjoy a final group gathering outside their classroom at the University of Maine at Farmington)
Through local farm tours and creative lesson plans, educators gained additional insights into agriculture and its importance to the Maine economy and to Maine’s rich culture and history, as well as how to connect agriculture with the academics they teach at their home schools.
(Pictured left: Bonnie Brown instructs teachers about growing flowers at Shaky Barn Farm Gardens in Livermore.)
The Summer Institute was supported in part through the proceeds from Maine’s Agricultural license plate. Farm tours in the Farmington area included a goat/cheese farm, sheep/wool farm, apple orchard, dairy farm, flower nurseries and other exciting highlights.
Participants left with not only an increased appreciation for the role and work of the Maine farmer, but also with many ideas on how to impart agricultural information to their students in the coming year.
(Pictured below: Teachers enjoy the dairy goats at York Hill Farm in New Sharon.)
For more information on Maine Agriculture in the Classroom and training/grant opportunities available to teachers, please contact Willie Sawyer Grenier, Executive Director, Maine Agriculture in the Classroom, maitc@maine.gov (207) 287-5522 www.MaineAgintheClassroom.org