Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is giving teachers and students new opportunities to bring agriculture into their classrooms through student challenges, educational activities, statewide programs, and more. Emily Ague, Ag in the Classroom State Coordinator, recently spoke with Associate Farm Reporter Carli Davenport about upcoming opportunities for educators and the organization’s plans to host the 2027 National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Oklahoma City.
Ague said one of the current opportunities is the Pizza Challenge, which gives students a hands-on way to learn about agriculture and the commodities produced in Oklahoma. “Pre-K through 12th grade teachers can get involved with that,” Ague said. “You can have groups of students, or individual students, or even an entire class participate in that.”
“It’s a great way to teach your students about agriculture and about commodities here in the state of Oklahoma,” Ague said. Along with the Pizza Challenge, Ag in the Classroom is accepting applications for its Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year contest. Ague encouraged educators who incorporate agriculture into their lessons to consider applying.
Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year
Ague said the award is intended to recognize teachers who find ways to incorporate agriculture into traditional classroom subjects. She explained that, under the national award criteria, agricultural education teachers who teach agriculture every day do not qualify; Instead, the contest is open to other Pre-K through 12th grade teachers who bring agricultural lessons into their classrooms. “Basically, we just want those teachers who, even if they think they’re doing simple things in their classroom, if they are incorporating an Ag in the Classroom lesson, or they’re doing activities with their students, maybe it’s once a week, maybe it’s once a month, but they’re trying to teach their students about agriculture,” Ague said.
She emphasized that teachers do not need to have an extensive agriculture curriculum to be considered. “We want those teachers to apply. We want them to show off what they’re doing in their classroom,” Ague said. Applications are available through the Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom website.
Oklahoma to Host National Ag in the Classroom Conference in 2027
Another major focus for the organization is preparing to host the 2027 National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Oklahoma City.
Ague said Oklahoma has not hosted the national conference since 1998, making the upcoming event a significant opportunity to showcase the state’s agriculture and culture to educators from across the country. “Oklahoma has not hosted the national conference since 1998. So it has been a really long time, and I think it’s just an incredible opportunity for us to show off Oklahoma,” Ague said.
She said the conference will give attendees an opportunity to experience what Oklahoma has to offer, particularly those who have never visited the state. “We live here; we know how wonderful it is, and all the great things we have to offer,” Ague said. “But I feel like so many of the people that come to our conference maybe haven’t been to our state before and are going to see the wonderful agriculture, the culture we have here in Oklahoma, and I think it’ll just be a great trip.”
Ague said organizers are planning for approximately 600 attendees from across the nation, including participants from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Upcoming Programs and Activities
As the organization moves toward the end of 2026, Ague said several activities are planned throughout November and December.
In addition to the Oklahoma Pizza Challenge, Ag in the Classroom is partnering with the Oklahoma Soybean Board on a soybean activity. “We also have kind of several other just events during November and December,” Ague said. You can keep up with Ag In The Classroom through their website or social media to see any upcoming event or activity announcements.
While the final months of the year tend to be a quieter period for the organization, Ague said the team is already looking ahead to a busy start to the new year. “That’s kind of our quieter part of the year, but we’ll definitely start out January boots on the ground,” she said.
How to Get Involved With Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom
For teachers interested in participating in upcoming challenges, applying for the Teacher of the Year contest or learning more about available educational resources, Ague encouraged them to visit the Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom website.
She said the website includes information about programs and activities, along with a way to contact the organization directly. “So all our information is there. You can contact us directly from the website if you need to ask any questions,” Ague said. “Just go to the contact us button.”
Ague encouraged educators to reach out with questions and explore the opportunities available to bring agriculture into their classrooms.
