“To promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public”
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) is a grassroots program coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture and housed at the Maine Department of Agriculture. Their goal is to help students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society so that they will become citizens who support wise agricultural policies and local agriculture endeavors. Maine Agriculture in the Classroom is funded by the Maine Agricultural specialty license plate, grants and private sponsors. Last year their programs were utilized by over 77,000 Maine students!
Programs include:
- Read ME Agriculture coordinates volunteer readers across the state and features a new book every year accompanied by educator resources and related activities.
- The Education Grants Program offers four different categories including; School Gardens and Greenhouses, Agricultural Awareness and Agricultural Leadership. Grants were distributed to educational programs for over $60,000 in four different categories.
- Summer Teachers Institute is an annual multi day program that allows educators to experience Maine agriculture through field trips to area farms and agricultural facilities while earning recertification credits.
- Teacher of the Year recognized an outstanding teacher or team of teachers who use agricultural education materials in their classrooms and activities.
- Monthly Newsletter profiles agricultural activities, list upcoming events and more!
The MAITC website also offers links to:
- National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is a free database of standards-based lesson plans and resources for K-12 educators that use agriculture as a lens for teaching science, social studies, career and technical education, and nutrition.
- TeachMe About Food and Farms, a collection of lessons and resources for educators in Grades Pre-K – 12 that is accessible and searchable by topic, grade and Maine Learning Results and Common Core Standards.
Want to know more?!
- Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maineagintheclassroom
- Sign up for their newsletter: https://maine.agclassroom.org/programs/news/
- Check out their website: https://maine.agclassroom.org/
Thank you Maine Agriculture in the Classroom for being a Sponsor of the Calendar, Sponsor of the Month, and Sponsor of the Calendar Launch Party!
