Oklahoma Farm Reporter Maci Carter is talking with the State Ag In the Classroom Coordinator, Melody Blosser, about Ag In The Classroom’s part in Ag Day at the Capitol,
“The Ag In the Classroom portion of Ag Day is where we take the opportunity to recognize our overall contest winners,” Blosser said. “We have an early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, and photography winner. We bring their artwork to the capitol, and we recognize them.”
During Ag Day at the Capitol, Blosser said they awarded the Teacher of the Year, Jackie McGolden of Fairview Public Schools. Awarded the National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture was Jennifer Croswait from Stillwater Public Schools.
“Every year on October 1, we announce our contest,” Blosser said. “This year, our theme was ‘Agriculture is Everywhere,’ so for our early childhood students across the state, everyone is eligible to enter the coloring contest. For 3rd grade through 12th grade there is a poster contest of the same theme. A few years ago, we also added a photography contest for 9th through 12th grade- same theme.”
The overall winners of the Ag In The Classroom contest had the chance to attend Ag Day at the Capitol.
Coming soon is another resource from Oklahoma Ag In the Classroom, Blosser said, called ‘Flat.’
“I am so excited to announce that Annie Davis, one of the other coordinators, has developed the most outstanding resource, and we are so excited it goes to debut here at Ag Day,” Blosser said. “It is called ‘Flat.’ It is similar to Flat Stanley, but we have twins, Flat Aggie and Flat Annie, and they go on different adventures. Their last name is Arthur.”
Blosser said this new resource, Flat, will present accurate and interesting agricultural information to students in a fun fiction format.
“We think it is going to offer opportunities for us to connect with other Ag In The Classroom programs around the nation as well as teachers can connect with someone just across the state,” Blosser said.
Blosser explained the value of participating in Ag In The Classroom for teachers across the state, from hundreds of lessons to professional development.
“We have some really ‘tried and true,’ like our summer roadtrip, and we do some one-day trips, but we also will go and have professional development for your staff of just a one-on-one Zoom meeting so you can know all of the ways you an get involved in Ag In The Classroom,” Blosser said.
Ag In The Classroom is not just for agricultural educators, but it is available to educators across the state teaching Pre-K through 12th grade.
“We are for every teacher because every person needs to know where their food, fuel, and fiber come from,” Blosser said. “We think that we have a big job ahead of us.”
To become involved in Ag In The Classroom, visit the website by CLICKING HERE! To visit the Facebook page, CLICK HERE. For Instagram, CLICK HERE!
