A Beef Operations Spring Cleaning

Spring is in the air, and you might be thinking it’s time to start your spring cleaning. Getting ready for the summer without all the clutter inside and outside. But have you ever thought about what a beef producer does for their spring cleaning? Perhaps someone washing tractors, working cattle, or updating records and paperwork comes to mind.  

Though a beef producer does each of those tasks in the spring, they are also done regularly to keep the beef operation organized. One cleaning task that people overlook is the cleaning of feedlot pens.  

When driving your car and you catch the smell of “money” as you drive by cattle that look to be fenced in with a dirt floor, you may wonder, “does it smell like this all the time?” No, not always. Just when the wind blows. 😊  

These are feedlots. A feedlot is a one type of livestock housing where cattle are fed for meat production. Cattle start at a feedlot when they are 300-400 pounds. They will be fed in the feedlot until they are around 1,300 pounds, then taken to a harvesting plant. After the cattle are harvested, the product (meat or hide) is sent out to consumers.   

Outdoor Lot Cleaning 

Yes, beef producers clean the cattle pens twice a week but after some time the dirt gets old at the bottom, and the pens need to be deep cleaned and reformed. 

In the outdoor lots the cattle have a small hill they can lay on for a sunny warm nap, use as a windbreak, or a dry spot to lay down and relax as the pen can get muddy from the rain and snow. This hill works for the cattle to stand or lay on, as a dry spot. Over time these hills become smaller because of erosion. Wind, rain and snow all contribute to the hill getting smaller. These lots will need to be built up again for the start of spring and going into summer, fall, and winter. In order for the farmer to do this they need to move all the cattle out of the pen and start cleaning. 

Most farmers use a tractor, skid steer, or payloader with a bucket attachment on the front to scoop up all the manure. This manure is either put into a manure spreader to be spread on corn and soybean fields or put into manure storages to be spread later in the year. Farmers spread manure on their fields to recycle. Just like how we recycle cans and paper at home. The manure is used to replenish nutrients in the soil for the crop planted for that year.  

The farmer will clean the pen when it’s dry so that he doesn’t get stuck. Once all the manure is removed, the farmer will buy loads of dirt and limestone to rebuild the pen’s base and build up the hill for the cattle to lay on. Limestone (lime) is used in pens as a base for the dirt, just like concrete is used as the foundation of the house. The limestone used in the feedlot has a fine and sandy texture, used to provide a softer ground for the cattle. 

Farmers use dirt and lime because it is more comfortable for the cattle to stand and lay down on. Cement is hard on the cattle’s hooves and can cause injury. Dump trucks transport the dirt and lime to the feedlot and the farmer will spread, using a tractor with a bucket attachment, as needed in each lot.  

Once the pen is clean with a hill to lay on, the farmer will bring the cattle back to the lot and move on to the next pen.  

Hoop Barn Cleaning 

In the hoop barns there are normally four pens in one barn with fencing down the middle. The barns have metal hoops with a tarp on top to keep the rain and snow off the cattle. Hoop barns are another way that farmers can feed their cattle. Researchers have experimented with the difference of pens for cattle. They have found that hoop barns are better for the cattle feed conversion or how the cattle are converting the feed to muscle because they don’t need to travel very far for their food, like they would in an outdoor lot. 

These pens are cleaned twice a week, and the cattle are put in the back of the barn while the farmer scrapes all the manure out the front. The front half of the barn has level concrete, which is easy for the bucket on the tractor to travel across.  

For the summer, the farmer downsizes their cattle and won’t buy more until the deep cleaning is done. With fewer cattle in the barn, it is easier for the farmer to clean out all the manure.  

Just like the outdoor lots, the farmer will have to add more dirt and lime in the back of the pen to help rebuild the bottom, so the cattle are not walking into holes or uneven ground. Then he will put lots of new corn stalk bales as bedding, for the new cattle that will be moving in.  

Now that you’ve learned about how beef cattle farmers do some of their spring cleaning. Your spring cleaning should sound easy right? 

-Cecelia Rowe
Dallas Center-Grimes High School
Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation School-To-Work Student

Learn more about beef production with these resources:
My Family’s Beef Farm by Katie Olthoff
RP The Farm Dog by Lucy Kehret
Iowa Beef Industry Council

How to Dispose of your Christmas Tree

White Pine Tree

What is the greenest crop in Iowa? You might say clover, corn, or grass but it is actually Evergreen trees. These trees are green year-round while those other species are harvested or go dormant during the winter months.

Iowa’s Christmas Tree Varieties

White Pine, Scotch Pine, Concolor Fir, Canaan Fir, Fraser Fir, and Blue Spruce are the six varieties of Evergreen trees that are grown in Iowa. These varieties are known for being able to withstand bitter winters and hot summers that Iowa experiences. The varying soil types and pH are other characteristics that these species are able to endure in Iowa’s region.

Fraser Fir Tree

Tree Disposal

During the holiday season, real Christmas trees are a popular item! Many people talk about how to care for them, but how do you properly dispose of these trees?

Many consumers may believe that the landfill is the best place to dispose of used Christmas trees, but that is not true. The use of landfills for removal of the Evergreen trees can cause many problems for the disposal site. Dead Evergreen trees are highly flammable and can cause fires in landfills. Christmas trees also take up space in these sites. Both of these problems are serious, but decomposition time is another complication. Evergreen trees take longer to break down in a landfill than in other environments.

Blue Spruce Tree

Since Christmas trees are biodegradable, there are a few environmentally beneficial ways to dispose of them. The first way is to have your tree grinded into mulch. Other than being a great way to recycle, mulch is a great way to protect the soil and insulate flowerbeds, gardens, and other areas from the harsh winter conditions. Mulch also decomposes and can add nutrients back into the soil while doing so. Another way to dispose of your Christmas tree is by placing it at the bottom of a private fishpond. You must have permission prior to transferring the tree to the pond. The tree can also provide a place for species to call home and can elevate the complexity of the pond’s ecosystem.

Christmas trees are great additions to our agroecosystem in many ways. Make proper disposal another benefit this year!

Other Related Resources

• Engineering with Christmas Trees Lesson
• Managing a Christmas Tree Farm Lesson
• The Spectacular World of Iowa’s Coniferous Trees
• Christmas Tree Farm Chat
• Christmas Farm
• Christmas Tree Farm
• The Littlest Christmas Tree
• Zee Grows a Tree

Careers in the Swine Industry

Happy Porktober! October, or National Pork Month, is a pretty big deal here in Iowa with 174,105 jobs associated with the pork industry. 

My name is Elle Ploeger, and I was chosen to serve as the 2023 Iowa Pork Queen for the Iowa Pork Producers. I grew up helping my dad raise show pigs in Northwest Iowa. I have always loved showing pigs, but my favorite part has been delivering piglets with my brother and dad in the farrowing barn. I got to experience all the work that goes into raising pork, and I loved sharing this with others. I especially love teaching kids because they will be the future of the industry.  

Elle at the Woodbury County Fair volunteering with the Pig Pals program.

As Pork Queen, I work with two other ambassadors on the youth team. We had to complete 100 hours of pig related events and attend the World Pork Expo and work at the Iowa State Fair. I used my 100 hours visiting 115 classrooms around Iowa and attending many county fairs. This led to me meeting a wide variety of people with a diverse number of careers in the industry. Even though I grew up on a pig farm, I truly have had my eyes opened to the number of available opportunities in agriculture. 

Now, whether you’re currently a high school senior wondering what direction you will go when you graduate, or just an avid bacon lover, it’s important to see the variety of careers the pork industry has to offer. 

The pork industry has a wide network of careers that all rely on each other. In this blog we’ll investigate some of the careers the industry offers and hear from experts in their respective fields. 

Communications  

Communications is a growing position within the pork industry. Whether it is internal or external, good communication is crucial to any business. With farms getting larger, it is important for one to be able to relay messages and properly represent all areas of the operation. Iowa is the number one pork producing state in the U.S. and there are hundreds of impactful stories to share about pork nutrition, animal care and economic contribution to Iowa. Communication professionals help pork producers and the pork industry communicate their message and address common misconceptions and myths around agriculture. Within communications there are tons of positions ranging from marketing, public relations, human resources, and graphic design. 

Erin Cantrell, the Sr. Communications Specialist at Seaboard Triumph Foods, told me how she really wanted to be a part of the agriculture industry. She just couldn’t see herself in the operational side of production and realized that she’d rather be on the support side. In her role as the communications specialist, she gets to work internally and externally for the company. Erin works with employee engagement, activities, and appreciation programs. Externally, she works in partnerships, recruitment, and advertising. There are many opportunities within this position and with Seaboard Triumph Foods itself. They offer 20+ different departments with positions in resources, maintenance, being a part of the purchasing team, or even taking care of the animals, there is a wide variety just at one company. 

Educator 

Education lays the foundation for the future. The students of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. Professors, extension agents, and field specialists have to form a strong foundation of knowledge. Education has an impact on a wide variety of people, sparking an interest for them to go down a path in agriculture they never even considered. This can be accomplished whether in the classroom, special events, or someone taking the time to share the message of agriculture with others. 

Bob Thaler, Distinguished Professor and South Dakota State University Extension Swine Specialist, takes his education a step further by leading study abroad trips. He has led trips to China, Vietnam, and the Netherlands. Traveling abroad not only allows students to learn about exports and commodities, but also to see the world in a different way. Back on the home side, Bob told me how sharing new technology is significant in getting new students interested in careers in the pork industry. Like Erin, Bob thinks it is important to show the variety of careers, but also help kids figure out how they can go home to the family farm and grow it. 

If you’re looking for ways to engage your grades 4-12 students with pork production this Porktober, the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation has a virtual kit just for you, and you can even join a LIVE virtual tour of a pig farm!

Buyer 

A buyer works as a middleman for companies (e.g., Tyson Foods, Smithfield, or Seaboard Triumph Foods) working with producers buying products. Though this career sounds straightforward, an understanding of markets, commodities, and producer needs are necessary. A buyer must determine what is best for all parties: the company, producer, and consumer.  

Ed Tice worked as a buyer at Tyson and IBP for 25+ years. In those 25 years, the position changed, but one thing that never changed was the importance of developing relationships with producers. Ed told me how he advocated for the industry by furthering his involvement in different levels of the industry. A few ways he stayed connected was by taking what he learned from serving in county and national pork boards, networking with producers near and far, and visiting colleges. “It’s not a 9-5 job. It’s 24/7 because whether it is county, state, or national level,” Ed said, “You are always bringing what is going to better the industry.” 

Though these are three very different careers, all of them have commonalities. These careers all practice the Pork Checkoff pillars of education, promotion, and research. These careers educate employees, the public, students, and/or producers. Through their work, people in the industry promote companies, jobs, and information. To accomplish this, it takes researching the impacts of the industry, cultural differences, and the ups and downs of the markets. Through all these examples, the backbone of these careers remains the same. 

They all work together for the common interest of the pork industry and “bacon” it better. 

See ya! 

-Elle

Elle Ploeger is currently a sophomore at South Dakota State University where she is majoring in agriculture communications. She grew up on a pig farm in Pierson, Iowa, and has expanded her experience working in the pork industry through her experience as the Iowa Pork Queen.

Learn more about careers within the pork industry HERE.

 

Summer Workshop Spotlight – Highland View Farms

We were able to travel down into the pasture to view the cattle.

This summer, the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) team was busy traveling across the state of Iowa to host 7 different teacher professional development workshops. Each workshop had a unique theme and showcased the diversity of Iowa agriculture. For me, as a new member of the IALF team, it was a great way to get out and meet Ag in the Classroom staff members, area educators, and local businesspeople and farmers. I had such a great experience travelling across the state, sharing and learning about agriculture!

Although I thoroughly enjoyed each place I visited over the summer, Highland View Farms in Decorah really stuck out to me. While visiting the farm, we rode down to the pasture in-by-sides to see and interact with the fold of Highland cattle. We were also able to talk with Steve, the farmer, and his family about the behavior and nutrition of Highland cattle. We ended our tour by snacking on tasty beef sticks! This tour stop piqued my curiosity and got me interested to learn more about Highland cattle.  

Highland Cattle 101 

The Highland breed is native to the Highland region of Scotland (this is how they got their name!). Thanks to their long, shaggy coats, they are able to thrive in cold, wet climates. This, along with their ability to live on rough forage, made them a well-known and sought after breed in the late 1800s. This popularity brought them to North America in the 1880s. Here they were used to improve pastures in the northern United States and Canada by feeding on pest plants like poison ivy and blackberry vines.

Highland fold courtesy of Higland View Farms

Highland cattle are considered a medium-sized breed. Cows on average weigh between 900 and 1,300 pounds while bulls weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds. Being smaller in size and having a more forage-based diet, Highland beef is lean with high contents of protein and iron. In addition to their diets, their long, shaggy coats also contribute to the fat content of their beef. Common breeds such as Angus and Hereford cattle develop a layer of fat along their backs to keep themselves warm. Highlands, however, have a double coat of hair with an inner layer to keep them warm and insulated, thus removing the need for a fat layer. This means that any fat they have is intramuscular, or what we know as marbling. This allows Highland beef to have a lower fat content, but still remain tender and juicy!  

How to Prepare Highland Beef 

Due to the lower fat content, Highland beef tends to cook up to 30% faster than other beef bought at the store. Highland View Farms recommends keeping grills at medium to low heat when grilling, and roasting at 50 degrees lower than traditional beef recipes recommend. Additional ways to ensure juicy, tasty Highland beef is to let the meat come to room temperature before cooking and letting the beef rest after it has been fully cooked.  

Highland View Farms has a variety of recipes on their website that have been tested and sent in by customers. One of the recipes I would like to try is their French Dip Roast!  

Unprepared Highland beef courtesy of Highland View Farms

French Dip Roast 

Broth or stock (enough to cover the roast) 

2 Sprigs of thyme 

2 Sprigs of oregano 

1 tsp garlic powder 

1 tsp pepper 

½ cup soy sauce 

Fresh Rolls 

Directions 

Mix spices, soy sauce, and broth in a slow cooker. Add roast and cook in a crockpot on low for 7 – 8 hours. Remove roast and use two forks to shred meat. Place meat in a container with enough broth to cover. Butter the rolls and toast. Place desired amount of meat on each roll. Ladle broth into small dishes for dipping. Dip sandwiches into broth and enjoy! For a change of pace, sauté onions and green peppers to add to your sandwich. A slice of provolone cheese adds another dimension of flavor.  

Create your own recipe! 

The High Steaks Beef Marketing Competition is a great way to learn more about beef cattle, like Highlands, and the nutritional value of beef! Participants in the competition create a new beef product/recipe and develop a marketing plan to sell their new product. Submissions for High Steaks are now open and will remain open until March 15! More information about High Steaks can be found here! 

~Alex 

Top 10 Reasons to Teach Students About Agriculture

In our rapidly evolving world, providing students with a foundational understanding of agriculture takes on a vital role. Beyond cultivating an appreciation for their food sources, agriculture literacy equips young minds with a diverse array of skills and provides a deeper connection to the environment and community that surrounds them. Agriculture is also one of the topics that students can easily connect to because they can apply concepts being learned. From the food we eat, clothes we wear, and even the fuel that powers the cars and busses we ride in, the resources for these materials come from plants and animals grown on the farm. Agriculture themes provide perfect real-world connections to STEM and make learning relevant to students.

Here are just a few reasons it’s important to teach agriculture literacy. 

1. Food Awareness. Teaching students about agriculture helps them better understand where their food comes from, which fosters a deeper appreciation for the sources of their nutrition.
2. Health and Nutrition. It connects students with fresh, locally grown produce and emphasizes the nutritional value of different foods.
3. Interdisciplinary Learning. Agriculture involves elements of science, technology, engineering, math, social studies, and even art. Teaching it offers cross-disciplinary learning opportunities.
4. Critical Thinking. Students can explore complex systems and challenges such as crop rotation, pest control, and soil health.
5. Career Opportunities. It introduces students to potential career paths in farming, agribusiness, research, food science, and more, broadening their future prospects.
6. Economic Impact. Agriculture is a significant contributor to the economy. Teaching students about it helps them grasp its importance in local and global economies.
7. Problem Solving. Agricultural challenges like climate change, food security, and resource scarcity require innovative solutions. Teaching about agriculture encourages creative and problem-solving thinking and skills.
8. Hands-on Learning. Agriculture education often involves practical, hands-on experiences like gardening, which can engage students in active learning and foster a sense of responsibility.
9. Sustainability. It instills an understanding of sustainable farming practices, promoting responsible use of resources and conservation.
10. Future Challenges. As the world faces challenges related to food production, and population growth (among others), informed citizens with agricultural knowledge can contribute to informed discussions and decisions. 

Want to connect your classroom to agriculture learning for the new school year? Here are a few ideas for the upcoming fall months to help tie-in to agriculture.

	Elementary	Middle School	High School	National Celebrations
September	Honey Bees: A Pollination Simulation Eggs From Hen to Home   Let’s Go Shopping	Flower Power   Eggs on the menu   Enlightened Concessions	Honey as a Biomolecule   Photoperiod Phenomena   My Agriculture Connections	Food Literacy Month Chicken Month Honey Month
October	Pork Production Then and Now   From Farm to Lunch Tray   PizzaThon	Iowa Hog Lift: International Diplomacy   What’s for Lunch?   FoodMASTERS Cheese	Pig Power: Creating Biogas and Renewable Energy   A Search for the Source   Enzymes and Bacteria are Whey Cool!	Pork Month Farm to School Month Pizza Month
November	It’s a MOO-stery!   Exploring Aquaponics   GobbleUp!	GobbleUp!   FoodMASTERS: Fats and Oils   Aeroponic Engineering & Vertical Farming	Blue’s the Clue: Souring Milk for Science   GobbleUp!   Urban Agriculture Innovation	Butter Day (17) STEM Day (8) Eat a Cranberry Day (23)

Other Resources to Check Out

Education Programs Calendar           

Bushel of Stories                  

Iowa Ag Today Elem & MS

Be sure to also check out our 2023-2024 School Programs Calendar! It includes information and deadlines for our various teacher and student programs throughout the year.

Please reach out to anyone on the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation team to learn more about how you can easily incorporate agriculture into your classroom or how you can fund agriculture in the classroom efforts throughout Iowa or locally.

~IALF Team

Go Beyond the Beaches: National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference Activity Highlights

The Iowa crew at the 2023 National Ag in the Classroom Conference, Orlando, Fla.

One of my favorite parts of summer is going to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. This conference is held each year towards the end of June, and it brings together a group of educators that have a common passion, agriculture literacy. As a national conference the location travels around the U.S., and this year the conference was in Florida. Throughout the conference we were encouraged to “Go Beyond the Beaches” and explore Florida agriculture. I was ecstatic! I had only been to Florida when I was in 1st grade, and most of what I saw was from a semi-cab.   

The conference was three days in length. The first day included breakout sessions and traveling workshops, and the other two days were filled with keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking. Breakout sessions are a great way to share new information, ideas, activities, and to network. I always leave a breakout session learning something new. Below I discuss three sessions that I attended and new resources that I gained.   

The Big Deal About Big Ag 

Profile cards students use to compare farms.

Have you been in a conversation where someone says, “there really are no family farms anymore”, or “small farms are a thing of the past”? Or have you ever caught yourself saying, “industrial agriculture” or “big ag”? These phrases are often used to describe agriculture today. However, the use of these phrases poses a misnomer on agriculture. Family describes the ownership of a farm, where small describes the size of a farm which is determined by gross cash farm income (GCFI). In the session, led by Andrea Gardner, we tackled these questions and concepts engaging in a new high school lesson on the Curriculum Matrix, The Big Deal About Big Ag. Through this lesson, students gather a deeper understanding of the difference between a small farm and big farm, what family-owned means, and how technological advances and economic forces influence the size of farms. I could see using this activity in a high school, or even middle school, social studies course as it prompts good discussion and higher order thinking.  

What do Ogres and Onions Have in Common? 

Confession, I originally went to this session because I love, and I mean LOVE, onions. When I saw a session sharing information and resources covering this commodity, I could not pass it up, and I was not disappointed. This session discussed the Vidalia Sweet Onion which is the official state vegetable of Georgia. For an onion to be a Vidalia onion it must be grown in one of 13 counties in Georgia and packaged during the “Pack Date” set by the Georgia Agriculture Commissioner.  

Vidalia onions in a bin (Image Credit: Mike Mozart (https://flic.kr/p/oLWKdy)

The sweet history of this onion dates back to the Great Depression when farmers in the Toombs County area were looking for a new cash crop. They planted onions and were surprised that they grew sweet rather than hot. Moses Coleman was one of the Vidalia onion pioneers that led to the mass production and distribution of the onion across the U.S. through his entrepreneurship in farmers markets and grocery stores. However, entrepreneurship can only go so far. Advancements in refrigeration technology improved storage of this onion, increasing storage time up to six months! Today we can enjoy Vidalia season from April-August.  

The information from this session, presented by Cheryl Poppell and Riley Wimberly, got me thinking of new ways to incorporate onions into the classroom. I could see incorporating activities that encourage students to investigate how soil impacts onion flavor, the impacts the onion has on the economy, or even how policy affects agriculture rolled around in my head. To learn more about the Vidalia Sweet Onion and how you might connect it to your classroom visit Georgia Ag in the Classroom’s Onions Have Layers Lesson Plans. 

Ag Literacy Book Tasting 

There are many books available students can read, but how do you help students choose while providing them opportunity? Just like eating, students have a preference over book topics or genres. Sometimes reading about food and its impacts on our daily lives may not be at the top of the reading “menu” for students, which means students miss out on a story they could enjoy. Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom director, Sarah Kaper, shared about the impacts an Ag Book Tasting event can have on what students read. Hosting an Ag Book Tasting provides students a sample of a book and invites them to explore ag-themed books they want to read instead of being assigned a book.  

To host an Ag Book Tasting it’s important to provide a range of books and styles as well as books that portray agriculture accurately. Many books tell stories and use images that show an antiquated view of agriculture such as someone milking a cow by hand into a steel pail. Though these books allow students to learn about what agriculture used to look like, if they only experience agriculture books that show antiquated ideas and concepts, they may generalize the genre and become turned off. Instead, it’s important to show a variety of agriculture books, including ones that portray current agriculture technology and share stories of innovation. Students get excited about robots, conservation, and books that make them think!  

Students at a book tasting. (Photo Credit: Kristin Yann, https://satcblog.com/classroom-book-tasting/)

Setting the scene is another important part of an Ag Book Tasting. Set books at different tables (much like stations) and use a note sheet that follows the theme of a menu. On the menu card students record information about the book including title, author, agriculture topic, whether the cover grabs their eye, if they would read it why/why not, and they finally rate the book. During the tasting students will: 

1. Look at the title 

2. Look at the front and back cover 

3. Look at the inside flap or Table of Contents  

4. Look at the font type and illustration 

5. Read the first 5-10 pages (age dependent) 

Kaper suggests that a 30-minute book tasting is ideal and outlined a suggested schedule that allows students to move from book to book while providing time for them to reflect: 

• 5 minutes: overview/expectations/direction 
• 1 minute: choose the first table 
• 4 minutes: round 1 
• 2 minutes: reflect on book 1 and write in menu 
• 1 minute: choose the second table 
• 4 minutes: round 2 
• 2 minutes: reflect on book 2 and write in menu  
• 1 minute: choose the third table 
• 4 minutes: round 3 
• 2 minutes: reflect on book 3 and write in menu 
• 4 minutes: wrap up and share out 

Consider incorporating an Ag Book Tasting event at a public library, school library, family reading night, or even as a classroom event! If you’re looking for ag-accurate books check out the IALF Lending Library’s books, My Family Farm publications, and Bushel of Stories publications, the National Ag in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix, and publishers such as Feeding Minds Press and Readers to Eaters.  

Apply to Host a Session 

It may be nerve-wracking to apply to host a breakout session at a conference, but if you have an idea that you want to share with others, it’s a great time and experience! Next year’s national conference will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, and they are currently accepting applications until October 6, 2023.  

~Cathryn 

What We’ve Been Up To

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean the learning has stopped. Not only have we been busy teaching all about agriculture, but we’ve been busy learning too! Between school programs, conferences, teacher programs, and summer workshops we’ve had the chance to meet a lot of people across Iowa and even the United States!

Student Programs

The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) participates in a variety of events throughout the year from field days to ag safety days and everything in-between. This spring and summer are no different and we have been busy teaching students about all types of agriculture.

Linn County Ag in the Park

Students at Linn County Ag in the Park making seed germination necklaces.

We kicked off our spring programs at Linn County Ag in the Park. Students created seed germination necklaces with water beads and corn and soybean seed inside of them. The water from the water beads and heat from your body as you wear the necklace allow the seeds to germinate. The clear bag allows students to watch the difference between corn and soybeans as they germinate. This was my first event with IALF. It was a long and fast paced day, but it was a lot of fun. We were able to see more than 600 students and teach them about seed germination.

Clay County Stem Bash

Students jump rope as a part of the relay race in the activity Sun, to Moo, to You.

The Clay County Stem Bash is an event held by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and 4-H Youth Development at the Clay County Fairgrounds. The STEM Bash hosted more than 200 4^th graders and a variety of booths where students learned about what energy is, where energy comes from and how to conserve energy. The day was focused on providing hands-on activities that aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for 4^th grade. During IALF’s activity at the Clay County Stem Bash students learned about energy systems and how energy moves through food webs. They modeled transfer of energy by passing a beachball around in a circle and by bouncing the ball to each other. Using their newfound knowledge, students participated in a relay race where they were challenged to put an energy system in order as a part of the activity Sun, to Moo, to You. My favorite part of this event was having conversations with students about how energy systems aren’t always a straight line, but a web where energy is transferred back and forth between objects.

Nevada Public Library Teen Club

In Nevada, we visited their teen club after school program at the public library and did an activity about grapes and jelly. Students were challenged to taste four different grape juices, choose their favorites, and engineer a grape jelly. The portion of the activity where students created a recipe for their jelly challenged them to discuss their opinions in a group setting and add fractions to create one cup of juice in total. This was my first time going to an event with upper middle and high school students. This was a great experience for me to have as I am hoping to become a high school agriculture teacher after graduation.

Iowa Children’s Water Festival

Cover crop monster

The Iowa Children’s Water Festival is an event that more than 2,000 5^th grade students participate in annually. The students play games, visit exhibits, participate in hands-on activities, and more to learn about the importance of water in their daily lives. This was the first event that our newest team member, Alex, was able to attend. We also partnered with Gretchen Volga from Central Iowa Agriculture in the Classroom. During the festival, students learned about water, how it is used in agriculture, and why it is so important to conserve water through Journey 2050 programming. Students also created their own cover crop monsters to demonstrate one way to conserve water. Although it wasn’t a planned part of the lesson, it was fun to be able to watch the students decorate their monsters and give them all their own unique personality!

Grant Ragan Elementary School Field Day

Students explaining the similarities between the pictures of a cow, bull and calf.

Our most recent student program this spring was the Grant Ragan Elementary School Field Day. For this program, IALF partnered with Dallas County AITC coordinator, Jamie Champion. Students learned about different cattle breeds and how genetics influence both looks and behavior. After learning about genetics, the students were challenged to correctly group themselves into breeds based on pictures of bulls, cows, and calves. This was a new activity we tried at this event. With it being an outdoor field day, we had the opportunity to set up a mock pasture where students pretended to be a herd of cattle by mooing, exploring, and some even wandered by the fence line to see if they could escape. When I asked them why they were trying to escape they told me it’s because their grandparents’ cows always try and find ways to get out and they were acting like the cows they’ve seen.

Conferences and Teacher Programs

In addition to educating students on agriculture through hands-on activities and interactive lessons, we also provide those resources to educators across the state. Some of the ways we interact with educators is through conferences and teacher programs.

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Science Education Update Conference

Attending the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Science Education Update Conference allowed us to share our various resources with current science educators and future educators who are currently in teacher programs. We hosted a session about the science and STEM of Iowa’s grape industry where educators learned about what makes Iowa’s grapes special using the lessons Grapes Here and There. It was great to be able to connect with other future educators and possibly future colleagues.

Waukee Plant the Seed Day

At the Waukee Plant the Seed Day teacher event, we shared our resources with educators in the Waukee Community School District. We connected with teachers from all grade levels and shared how our resources connect to Iowa Core Standards. This was also a great opportunity for me to be able to talk to Cindy Snell, the 2023 Iowa Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award. As an aspiring future agriculture educator, I was able to talk to her about her experiences in the classroom.

Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom: Making the Connection Agriculture Literacy Conference

Cathryn Carney presenting about agriculture safety.

IALF was invited to attend this conference where farmers, educators, and professionals came together to exchange tools about how to help students and consumers understand how agriculture impacts their daily lives. At the conference, Cathryn hosted a breakout session about agriculture safety days. Although only two percent of the nation is currently involved in production agriculture, many people may encounter agriculture more than they think. Whether it’s visiting a fair and seeing animals or sharing a road with farm equipment, it is vital that people know how to act safely. The session took a closer look at our How-To Guide for Ag Safety Days and gave participants the resources to plan a successful agriculture safety day.

Iowa Reading Association and Association of Iowa School Librarians Literacy Conference

Participants exploring a timeline of Iowa’s agriculture in issue 4 of our Iowa Ag Today.

This summer, we attended the Iowa Reading Association and Association of Iowa School Librarians Literacy Conference and had the opportunity to connect with teachers, librarians, university professors, district coordinators, Area Education Agency (AEA) curriculum consultants, and other exhibitors from throughout Iowa. IALF attended to share our resources as an exhibitor as well as lead a session about our Iowa Ag Today student readers. The activity introduced educators to our Iowa Ag Today readers as they engaged in an activity that accompanied them.

New Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator Workshop

New AITC Coordinators rotating through station of various activities they can do with students.

Our conferences and teacher programs aren’t for just educators who are in the classroom daily. This spring we had our first New Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator Workshop. Agriculture in the Classroom is a program that allows educators to visit classrooms with fun and engaging activities to educate students about agriculture. The classroom visits range from teaching about agriculture safety to hands-on activities like hatching chicks and everything in-between. This workshop was for new coordinators across the state to provide them with the resources they need to run successful programs and create strong connections between students and agriculture. During this workshop, Ag in the Classroom Coordinators set program goals, practiced data collection, engaged in agriculture activities, and networked with other coordinators from across the state. Each Agriculture in the Classroom Program is tailored to fit that area’s needs, and this workshop provided the new coordinators with a variety of resources to build the best possible program for their area.

National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference

Iowa attendees at the National Agriculture in the Classroom conference in Orlando, Fla.

IALF team members having fun in the photo booth at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference

We have also been busy learning this summer! Some of our team members traveled to Orlando, Fla., for the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. In total there were 14 attendees from Iowa including Agriculture in the Classroom Educators, teachers, Iowa State University Extension representatives and IALF staff members. At this conference they experienced Florida’s agriculture, explored new resources and activities, and networked with agriculture educators from across the country.  Cindy Snell, the recipient of the Iowa Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award was also recognized at an awards luncheon at the conference.

Coming Up: Find us at the Fair

Hiccup the Wonder Pig Book Cover

It’s been a busy summer but were not done yet. On Friday, August 11 at 10 a.m. we will host an activity at the Blue-Ribbon Kids Club Fun Forest Stage. There will be an interactive obstacle course reading of our book, Hiccup the Wonder Pig. Not only will the student author of the book be there, but the Iowa Pork Queen will also be there signing copies and representing Iowa’s pork industry.

Overall, this spring and summer have been incredibly busy but also rewarding. I’ve had the chance to network with educators across the state, share our resources, educate students about agriculture, and visit parts of Iowa I had never seen before.

~Alyson

About Me: Alexandra Osborn

Hello, everyone! My name is Alexandra (Alex) Osborn, and I am so excited to be starting as the new Education Program Coordinator!

I am originally from Wellington, Missouri, where I grew up as a member of the sixth generation to live on my family’s Century Farm. On our farm, we raise corn and soybeans as well as the occasional cow for my younger sister’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project. Growing up, I was involved in my local 4-H and FFA chapters, where I participated in public speaking, livestock judging, and the Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Being involved in these organizations is largely what led me to pursue a career in agriculture.

I am currently preparing to graduate later this month from Iowa State University with a degree in Agricultural and Rural Policy Studies and a minor in Agronomy. While at Iowa State, I have held internships with Beck’s Hybrids, Bayer Crop Science, and the Iowa State Extension Women in Ag Program. I have also been involved in the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the Ag Policy Club, and the marketing team for the Ag and Rural Policy major.

What drew me to this position and the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation was the ability to combine my passion for agriculture with my love of education. My mom is a teacher, and my dad is a farmer, so both the values of agriculture and education were instilled in me from an early age. This has allowed me to further understand the need for agricultural education and given me the drive to be a part of its implementation. I am so excited to begin my time here at IALF and strengthen agriculture education along the way!

Fun fact about me: I have my drone pilot license!

Agriculture Literacy Spreads in Iowa Through Help of Ag in the Classroom Efforts

AITC and IALF representatives accept the Leadership in Agriculture Education award from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig at the IDALS Annual Agriculture Leaders Dinner.

They say “if you eat, you are involved in agriculture.” Agriculture provides food for our dinner plates, fiber for our clothing, and fuel for our vehicles – things all of us use every day. Everyone is touched in some way by agriculture so it’s essential for all people to have an awareness and understanding of agriculture. The Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) network of educators and volunteers work every day to ensure that Iowa students become knowledgeable about agriculture and its impact on their everyday life. Recently, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) recognized the AITC network, including the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) with the Leadership in Agriculture Education award at the IDALS Annual Agriculture Leaders Dinner for their efforts. So, how does IALF and the AITC network engage students about agriculture in their classrooms?

Reaching students by providing teachers with agricultural resources
AITC, which is part of a nationwide network, educates Iowa Pre-K through high school students about all aspects of agriculture. The Iowa AITC network works with approximately 3,000 teachers to reach more than 150,000 Iowa students across hundreds of Iowa schools.

IALF staff provide teacher professional development training.

IALF and the AITC network provide teachers with educational resources such as lesson plans and student reader publications that are aligned to core standards they can easily implement in their classrooms through core subjects such as math, social studies, language arts, and science. Local AITC coordinators regularly go into classrooms to conduct classroom agriculture programming tied to core subjects. Many Iowa students see first-hand animal lifecycles such as chickens hatching in their classrooms, have the opportunity to grow their own cover crops through cover crop monsters, and learn about plant lifecycles through gardening and hydroponics exercises.

Students are also exposed to agriculture through Ag Days, STEM Festivals, county fairs, and other community events throughout the year in an effort to continue to highlight the importance of agriculture for students and their families.

Middle school students learn about crops and livestock through IALF’s Iowa Ag Today publication.

IALF supports statewide Ag in the Classroom efforts
IALF is uniquely positioned as the central, statewide resource for educators and volunteers who want to teach Iowa’s students about agriculture. Resources provided include:

• lesson plans tied to Iowa Core standards
• two-day teacher professional development workshops with in-classroom learning and field trips to local agribusiness sites for enhanced learning
• online teacher professional development offerings
• grants to teachers to bring agriculture programming to local classrooms
• a lending library of agriculturally accurate and relevant materials
• elementary and middle school student publications

IALF annually honors a local teacher to recognize their work in bringing agriculture into the classroom in an engaging way. That teacher receives a trip to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference with the chance to learn more about teaching agriculture as well as be recognized as a state winner. IALF also offers unique student competitions such as High Steaks! Beef Marketing Competition and Bushel of Stories writing competition as a way to engage students in fun, learning opportunities about agriculture. You might also see IALF at one of your local STEM Festivals, or county/community events through our many outreach efforts.

Providing these centralized resources means that local Ag in the Classroom coordinators and volunteers can spend more time in the classroom versus developing materials on their own, and it ensures a cohesive effort for agriculturally relevant and accurate information. IALF serves the Iowa AITC network by providing training and creating programming and resources they can offer to students and educators in their area that includes not only integrating production agriculture into core classroom standards, but also is inclusive of the entire value chain of agriculture including research, food processing, food sales, marketing and consumer nutrition.

Jordan Creek Elementary School Fourth Graders watch Bill Northey, Iowa’s former Secretary of Agriculture, as he spoke to them about activities on his Spirit Lake farm via FarmChat. Watch that FarmChat series video 1, video 2, video 3.

Get involved in your local AITC programs!
“One question we often receive is how can Ag industry leaders like farmers, commodity experts, and Ag education advocates support or get involved in agriculture in the classroom efforts,” said Kelly Foss, IALF Executive Director. “There are many ways you can get involved! Donate to agriculture in the classroom efforts to support the development and distribution of agriculture resources. Contact your local AITC coordinator to see what programs they’re offering in schools and how you can help. Consider hosting school FarmChats or site visits on your farm/agribusiness for your local school. Purchase the specialty license plates offered through the Iowa Department of Transportation that support 4-H, FFA, and IALF for your personal or company fleet vehicles.” We invite you to learn more about IALF resources and how to Support Iowa Agriculture Literacy efforts across the state.

Morgan Hibbs, Linn County AITC Coordinator, presents an ag in the classroom program to young students.

Iowa’s future depends on students’ continued interest in agriculture
Learning about agriculture can be a valuable way of inspiring interest in agriculture and developing curiosity to learn more. With consistent real-life connections students become more engaged with agricultural concepts which may lead them to pursue higher level agriculture-based education and future careers in agriculture. With one in five Iowa jobs tied to agriculture, it’s vital for the future of the state to have students who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture and citizens who understand the importance of agriculture in their lives.

Continuing to elevate the importance of agriculturally literate citizens will require collaborative support from Ag industry leaders, community advocates, educators, and everyone in agriculture working together to support and boost efforts to teach our youngest Iowans, throughout their life, about the ways agriculture impacts their daily lives.

Thank you and congratulations to the AITC network of educators and volunteers across Iowa for leading the way. Read more about the Leadership in Agriculture Education award, and watch the video highlight.

We invite you to learn more about IALF resources and how to Support Iowa Agriculture Literacy efforts across the state.

Elementary student reads about farming through IALF’s My Family Farm book series.

Iowa teachers Pre-K through high school are supported through IALF to implement agriculture-focused learning in their classroom through teacher grants.

About Me: Alyson McCarty

Hello! My name is Alyson McCarty and I am the new Education Programs Intern for this upcoming year.

I was born and raised in Connecticut along the coastline of Long Island Sound. During my high school career, I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer at our local zoo. That program allowed me to spend my summers learning about a variety of animals and the care they require as well as educating visitors on the animals at the zoo. Getting to work hands-on with some of the animals was a major stepping stone in my future goals and passion for animals.

I am currently in my third year at Iowa State University where I am double majoring in Agricultural Education and Animal Ecology. At Iowa State I am currently a member of the Student Admissions Representatives (STARS) and give bi-weekly tours to prospective students and families. Additionally, I am a member of the Dairy Science Club and serve on multiple committees within the club.

My future career goals are to one day become an Agriculture Educator and run a successful agriculture program at the high school level. Having grown up without a strong agricultural background I was able to experience the positive impacts that learning about agriculture can have on someone. I hope to one day be able to pass my newfound passion for agriculture to the next generation.

I am excited to begin my journey in Agricultural Education and assist in showing the importance of agriculture in our world. I am also excited to begin creating connections with both students and educators from around Iowa. I am excited for the experiences I will gain in this next year and the connections I will make along the way.

Fun fact about me: While at the zoo I was able to help catch and tag geese to be able to track them.

Favorite thing at Iowa State: Making ice cream with the Dairy Science Club on Fridays