CFA's Summer Institute
Food, Fiber and More AgriCULTURE in the Classroom Summer Institute will be held in two locations in 2008. It will be held in the Craig area June 16 through 20 and in the Fort Colins area June 23 through 27.
The Institute begins with a general agriculture introduction showing Colorado's history and economic reliance on this industry. The connection between wildlife and agriculture are explored along with alternative or non-traditional agriculture occupations. Issues and concerns facing agricultural producers are outlined and in some cases reinforced by producers hosting the group throughout the week. Resource materials ranging from posters to classroom activity packets are provided to attendees.
The highlight of the Institute is the day spent one-on-one working with an agriculture producer. Depending on their host, participants found themselves driving tractors, checking cattle, tube-feeding calves, repairing fences, learning how computers are being utilized in management and planning, planting cucumbers, helping with irrigating and more. The opportunity to interact and be part of an agriculture producer’s day has proven to be the link that pulls all the information supplied over the week together. Comments about the day "walking in another person's boots" included Marika Rywak saying, "This was a wonderful hands-on experience that I'll never forget." Mamie Garceo said, "This was the most educational day because of the hands-on approach. I actually helped the farmer!" And she learned from Loren and Kim Martin of Windsor about the daily operations of a farm, the location of the water source, how subdivisions are threatening the life of the farm and about the passion of this farm family towards what they do. Erin Riley summed it up, "I had a great experience!" and rated the day a plus.
The conclusion to the week was the implementation of the Food, Land and People curriculum. Educators received the resource manual and were involved in hands-on demonstrations of selected activities. Participants will complete the course with the development of a classroom unit integrating agriculture and academic curriculum.
The Institute is a unique graduate-level credit course offered through Colorado State University or continuing education through Northeastern Junior College. The one-on-one involvement is possible because Young Farmers, county extension, county farm bureau members, and CattleWomen and Cattlemen volunteer their time and resources to host educators and to share their areas of knowledge.
Participants leave the course realizing that agriculture is a driving force in Colorado's economy that is undergoing rapid changes because of growth, water, and technology. They have the opportunity to see practical applications of academic curriculum to maintain and stimulate their students' interests in math, science, history, civics and economics. They also learn there are many resources available to them.
Again this year, scholarships are provided to offset the cost of course registration. Colorado Beef Council, ConAgra, Colorado Farm Bureau, county farm bureaus, CattleWomen organizations, soil conservation districts, Colorado Greenhouse Growers, Colorado Sheep and Wool Authority and Western Dairy Council sponsored individuals. Director Bette Blinde says, "It’s because there is a team effort that we are able to improve agricultural literacy in Colorado and provide educators this opportunity."
Support Ag Literacy by sponsoring a Classroom
The 2008 Summer Institute will be held in two locations in Colorado. Download the 2008 brochure or ontact Bette Blinde for additional information.