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Where do apples or potato chips come from? If you answered, “From the farm” then you may be familiar with Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation!
Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) is a non-profit foundation that provides science-based educational curricula and materials to Oregon classrooms. The purpose of the program is to help young people better understand agriculture, the source of our food and fiber, and the important role it plays in our daily lives. All AITC activities are governed by a Board of Directors having a proportionate membership of agricultural and educational representatives. Robin Galloway currently serves as President of the Board along with members Roger Rennekamp and Lillian Larwood.
Free-Loan Library
AITC materials are available through a free-loan library with the convenience of online ordering. Resources cover a range of topics including general agriculture, natural resources and conservation, food and nutrition, animals and plants.
Newsletter
A free newsletter is also available and features recent events, upcoming educational opportunities and activity pages. The newsletter is mailed three times per year in the fall, winter and spring.
K-6 Calendar Contest
Fishing boats on the ocean, a chocolate ice cream cone, Christmas tree harvest and pink pigs. All these and much, much more have been featured in the Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom school year calendar. Each year, students from all across the state submit artwork depicting Oregon agriculture. Every student that participates receives a personalized certificate and 13 artists are selected to be featured in the calendar. An additional 40 honorable mention artists are chosen and posted on the AITC website. Artwork for next year’s calendar is now being accepted! The deadline for submissions is May 15.
For the Older Kids
AITC offers opportunities for high school aged students to increase their knowledge of agriculture and natural science. The Annual Essay Contest gives students the chance to win cash and prizes when they research and write on topics selected by the AITC Board of Directors. The contest is designed to be easily incorporated into CIM/CAM requirements and gives maximum recognition to all students and their teachers who take part. Winning essays are published in the Capital Press Agriculture Weekly Newspaper. The essay contest is sponsored by the Capital Press, Oregon Farm Bureau, Agri-Business Council of Oregon and the Dairy Farmers of Oregon.
Oregon FFA chapters are encouraged to compete for the annual AITC Ag Literacy Award. This award recognizes those chapters that have worked to teach elementary students in their community about agriculture. Past winners include Canby, Perrydale and Bend high schools.
Get Oregonized
Another exciting AITC project is the revision and distribution of Get Oregonized, a 4th grade student history book and teacher's guide focusing on Oregon’s history and regions of the state. The first half of the book features Oregon's first people, exploration and discovery, pioneers and continues by focusing on each of Oregon's six regions. Get Oregonized books are currently being utilized by more than 3,500 students statewide.
Grown in Oregon
AITC's full color "Grown in Oregon" poster is a favorite among educators and others interested in Oregon agriculture. This beautiful map features the leading and unique commodities of each county depicted in the original artwork of an Oregon high school student. 2,500 posters were printed and 1,300 have been distributed throughout the state. Posters are free to Oregon classrooms.
All Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom projects, educational opportunities and free-loan resources are featured on the AITC website. The site is easy to navigate and offers a multitude of useful links and information for teachers, home schoolers, parents and students.
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