The next cycle of the AITC-Ok Pork Council Grants will open on August 1, 2025 with a deadline of September 15, 2025. Let these two winners inspire you to propose your on idea! We cannot thank the Oklahoma Pork Council enough for their support of Oklahoma teachers in their endeavors to teach students about agriculture! Up first, Jeanie Spears, Gore Elementary, pictured with Melody Blosser AITC Coordinator and OK Pork producer, Brooke Clay. Next is Amber Bales, Will Rogers Elementary-Stillwater, with Melody Blosser.
Jeanie’s Project Overview:
This project’s purpose is to show our students that they can grow their own food. They will learn what plants must have to grow, how to plant seeds and take care of the plants, then be able to harvest the food that comes from the plants that they planted. Using the lesson Get Growing, the younger students will be able to understand the four things plants need to be able to grow. After completing this lesson they (in partners) will be able to go out into our garden and be able to plant their plant in the soil and water it and then be able to watch it as it grows. Some will also plant seeds in our milk containers in the classroom and watch them grow and water also. The ones in the classroom will be missing one of the four things needed to grow. All students will watch all plants grow. Using the lesson, The Art of Growing Things, the older students will learn about where seeds came from long ago and where they can get them today. After completing this lesson some students will take their seeds out in the garden and be able to plant their seeds into our garden and be able to track the growth of their plants. Some will plant in the room with grow lights in the classroom before going out and planting in the garden. All students will be viewing all the plants, whether in their classroom or in the garden to monitor how plants are growing or not growing, whose plants are growing bigger or faster. They will also, when time, be able to harvest their produce from their crops. That might be later in the summer. They will learn at school that they will be able to go to the store and buy seeds or plants and be able to take them home and plant them and be able to grow it themselves.
Amber’s Project Overview:
Fri-Yay…It’s Ag Friday is a special time for Will Rogers 4th graders. I teach Ag Literacy to all 4th graders in two sections. It is my sincere belief that all students need to know where their food, fiber, and fuel comes from. With this grant, I will be able to supplement my Ag Friday lessons and be able to provide new opportunities for hands-on and engaging activities.
Highlighted lessons are: 1. Whole Grains Month: Lesson How Wheat Grows. Teaching students about the state of Oklahoma Commodities, including wheat. Baking bread and muffins.
2. Harvest of the Month-Greens: Lesson Oklahoma Roots and Leafy Greens. Planting greens and utilizing Oklahoma My Plate and poster to describe the nutritional value of greens. Baking kale chips.
3. Harvest of the Month-Sweet Potatoes: Utilizing the Oklahoma My Plate and poster to teach students about sweet potatoes. Baking sweet potato bread and sweet potato chips.
4. Tear Sheet-Corn: How Popcorn Is Made and Soybeans: Full of Beans. Teaching students about Oklahoma Commodities and the importance of each in making pig feed.
Provided by Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom.
