Summer tours bring teachers to the farm
Above: A 2022 summer teacher tour
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
Here’s a math problem: how do 112,000 Minnesota farmers help 5.7 million Minnesotans get better acquainted with their food?
It’s a thorny problem, but, luckily, the experts at Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) are here to work out the answer. One of their most effective tools are the Summer Teacher Tours — MAITC is offering four for-credit experiences for primary- and secondary-level teachers and ag advocates in Summer 2023.
While farmers make up only 1.9 percent of the state’s population, Minnesota’s estimated 821,260 students live in 29 percent of state’s households. By reaching out to teachers, MAITC teacher tours have the potential to reach a lot of families, and increase their food and agriculture literacy.
Tell the teachers and ag advocates you know about this special experience, and reach out soon — the application deadline is June 1. Tours are June 20, June 21, July 12, and July 20.
Real agriculture and food facts can provide the basis for learning across the spectrum of educational subjects. Not only do the tours give teachers direct experience with farms and agribusinesses, but, according to MAITC, also offer “exposure to a wealth of standards-based, agriculture themed lesson plans and resources. Participants will network and share how they intend to use these experiences and resources to integrate agriculture into their curricula to improve student achievement by applying authentic agricultural examples to teach core curriculum concepts in science, social studies, language arts, math and nutrition.”
[More: Teacher tours help educators trace connections to agriculture]
The titles of this year’s teacher tours tell the story: “A Day In The Life of the Farmer,” “Finding Food For All,” and “Harvest of the Month.”
“A Day In The Life of the Farmer” takes teachers on a daylong experience in the Mankato region. The tour is described as an “opportunity to tour and explore different teams that a farmer relies on to do their job well. From financing, a farm tour, equipment selection, ethanol production, and time for connection at a local winery.” (Take a look at these hot links to see resources that MAITC provides to students through its publication AgMag. You can click and really dig in and learn about food and farming.)
“A Day In The Life” includes a stop at the farm of Angela Guentzel, who farms corn and soybeans and serves on the Minnesota Corn Growers Association’s board of directors.
“Finding Food For All” brings teachers to Brooklyn Park, where the tour asks the question, how can we help communities who lack proper access to food? MAITC invites teachers to “join Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom as we visit Second Harvest Heartland and Open Cupboard to learn how these non-profit organizations” solve food access challenges.
“Harvest of the Month” takes place in Northfield. “This farm to fork teacher tour will allow K-12 educators to gain first-hand knowledge and experience with every step of the farm to school process. Attendees will meet third generation turkey farmers at Ferndale Market near Cannon Falls and hear about their efforts to supply high-quality protein to schools across Minnesota.”
But there’s one more, that goes straight for the teacher’s imagination: “It’s A Mystery Tour!” Promising to showcase agriculture and natural resources in Minnesota’s northern tier, this experience is touted to be particularly unique and engaging.
“Join us for a mystery tour where we will showcase and experience the unique and diverse parts of North Central Minnesota,” reads the invitation to teachers. “Be ready for hands-on experiences and a little cruise to wrap up our adventures in what many call the north woods.”
The Summer Teacher Tours take place in June and July, and several still have openings. So, pass this information along to teachers you know.
Minnesota Corn is the longest standing supporter of Minnesota Ag In The Classroom, making major contributions for more than three decades, because of a shared mission to bring greater food and agricultural literacy through education.
To learn more and sign up for 2023 Teacher Tours, visit https://mnagmag.org/teacher-tours/.
