Teachers can learn at summer Ag in the Classroom Institute

Educators interested in agriculture in Alaska have until June 25 to meet the early registration deadline for the fifth annual Alaska Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Institute in Palmer, Aug. 2-4.

Classroom teachers may take the course for one to two professional development credits through the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

“Growing Agricultural Literacy in K-12 Classrooms” is a high-speed, hands-on course that immerses educators in local agriculture.

Farm tours take teachers into the fields, and agricultural experts bring a variety of topics to them.

Educators receive Agriculture in the Classroom materials and learn how agriculture — including gardening — is a fun, effective and standards-based way to help students learn and remember lessons.

Classes are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alaska Plant Materials Center one day and at the Palmer Center for Sustainable Living (UAF Experiment Farm) on the others.

In addition to the per-credit costs through UAF, there is a $100 fee for the class to cover materials and food; $90 for informal educators and preservice teachers. Late registration deadline is July 25.

The course is suitable for educators pre-K through 12, with some split sessions for elementary or secondary students.

To pre-register, visit agclassroom.org/ak. For additional information, contact course coordinator Victoria Naegele at 982-2219 or akaitc@alaskafb.org.

The course is made possible through funding from Alaska Farm Bureau and the Mat-Su Chapter, and Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District.