Ag in the Classroom
Information for Volunteer Presenters

What are the Ag in the Classroom presentations?

Each year the DeKalb County Farm Bureau offers agriculture-focused lessons to 1^st through 4^th grade classrooms in schools across the county.  Lessons are designed to:

         - Help children understand the role of agriculture in providing our food, clothing, and many everyday products.

         - Provide an opportunity for students to learn from those directly involved in the ag industry, especially farmers and agribusiness men & women.

         - Involve students in hands-on, minds-on activities to enhance understanding of key concepts.

         - Be age-appropriate and easily integrated into the classroom curriculum.

         Correlate with the Illinois Learning Standards.

DeKalb County ’s 2010 Ag in the Classroom presentations will be offered to classrooms throughout the month of February.

Who visits classrooms to deliver the presentations?

Anyone who is willing to share their time, enthusiasm, and ag expertise!  Our classroom presenters are individuals involved in the agricultural industry, including farmers and agribusiness people.  Typically, around 150 teachers request the ag lessons.  Last year over 100 volunteers gave the Ag in the Classroom presentations.

How do I obtain training and materials to become a volunteer presenter?

Ag in the Classroom volunteer training will take place at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.  Volunteers will hear an overview of all four presentations and receive needed lesson plans and supplies.  Materials will also be available to pick up and return in the Farm Bureau office throughout the Ag in the Classroom program.

How are volunteers matched with classrooms?

1. Teachers request lessons by submitting forms indicating contact information and preferred presentation times. 
2. A list of requesting teachers is mailed to potential volunteers in mid-January. Volunteers should contact Farm Bureau to reserve the classrooms they wish to visit.  They will then receive copies of teachers’ request forms and use this information to schedule their presentations with teachers.
3. Volunteers unfamiliar with the program may also wait until the training night on January 28 to choose the grade level and classrooms they would like to visit.

What topics do the Ag in the Classroom presentations cover?

First Grade – “More Than A Seed”
Students will explore what plants need to grow and to make a connection between farm crops and everyday items. They will plant corn and soybean seeds as they learn of the many uses of each crop.

Second Grade – “From Cow to Ice Cream”
Students will explore dairy farming and the nutritional benefits of dairy products.  They will learn about milk production and make their own ice cream during the lesson.

Third Grade – “It's An Earful”
Students will make connections between agriculture and science.  They will learn about the multitude of products made from corn as they construct their own corn stalks.

Fourth Grade – “Let's Play Ball”
Students will explore the connection between agriculture and their daily lives.  This lesson links baseball to agriculture as children match game-related items with their farm origins and play a "baseball game.”

Top of Page