Educational Resources
Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar Photo Contest
Amateur photographers who enjoy capturing local rural scenes, farm animals and fresh produce are invited to enter the Massachusetts Agriculture Photo Contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. Winning photos will be featured in the 2006 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar.
Twelve photos will be selected, one for each month. Photos will be selected that depict the diversity of agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources on the commonwealth's farms throughout the year. Click here for last years winners.
Winning photographers will be credited in the calendar, will be invited to attend a winner's ceremony at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) in Springfield in September and tickets to the fair, and will receive copies of the calendar.
For more details and a link to an entry form:
Collection of Feature Articles from Ten Past Newsletters
The educational portion of ten past newsletters from Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom have been updated and reprinted in booklet format. The newsletters were originally printed between September of 1997 and Fall of 2000.
The collection of feature article topics include: Apples; Aquaculture; Buying Local; Cranberries; Corn; IPM; Maple Sugaring; Sheep and Wool; Squash and Pumpkins and Turkeys. Each featured article provides history; current agricultural practices; economic information, and activity ideas related to agricultural products.
This project was partially funded by a 2000 Marketing Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. To receive a copy of the collection of feature articles from ten past newsletters: send $5 to Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, P.O. Box 345, Seekonk, MA 02771.
Farm Field Trip Manual
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom developed a Farm Field Trip Manual to assist Massachusetts farmers who want to offer field trips to the farm for school groups is now available. The manual includes an outline for the farmer on how to develop or expand the farm education program, pre-and post-field trip activities for the classroom, suggestions for carrying out the field trip and connections to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
The manual was funded by an Agro-Environmental Technology grant from the Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources. To develop the manual, we visited a number of Massachusetts farm to observe their school field trip programs. In addition, we reviewed materials from many farms and other educational organizations, including several other state Agriculture in the Classroom programs.
Ten copies of the Farm Field Trip Manual were distributed to each of the county Farm Bureau offices. Additional copies can be purchased from MAC for $12. Send request and payment to P.O. Box 345 Seekonk, MA 02771.
Eight Lessons about Agriculture and the Environment
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom produced an educational booklet titled "Eight Lessons about Agriculture and the Environment: for elementary and middle school classrooms." These lessons were mailed to each of the elementary and middle schools in the state for 2nd and 7th grade classrooms. The lessons were developed as part of an Agro-Environmental Technology Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Copies are available for $5 to cover the cost of production and handling. Mail request to MAC, P.O. Box 345 Seekonk, MA 02771.
Learning Activities for Grades K - 6
The "It’s Your World" curriculum offers twenty agricultural lessons for grades K-12. The lessons focus on agriculture and agricultural products from all geographic areas of the state. Each looks closely at an agricultural issues and offer a better understanding and appreciation of the agricultural industry as a supplier of resources essential for basic survival.
The curriculum offers classroom activities and instruction in a meaningful and integrative way. Lessons are structured in a concise and active learning format and are "user friendly" for teachers. Additional lessons will be developed to mirror changing times for both agriculture and education in the Commonwealth. A small group of elementary and middle school teachers worked with the Committee to review the lessons. We encourage comments from all educators, and have included a form with the lesson plans for your input. We look forward to hearing from you!
To Receive a copy of the new It’s Your World Curriculum, send $12 to MAC, P.O. Box 345, Seekonk, MA 02771.
Schoolyard Gardens and Their Community Partnership: with a Special Look at the Green Industry
This new handbook provides resources to facilitate cooperative gardening efforts between schools, local community groups and businesses. The manual includes: an outline for starting a school gardening program, case studies of successful partnerships and resources.
The manual was funded by a Specialty Crops Grants from the Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources. To develop the manual, horticultural educator and garden designer Diane Syverson interviewed numerous educators, green industry professionals and community resources people who have been involved in successful school-gardening partnerships. These relationships play an important role in long-lasting school- garden projects, offering good advice, low-cost materials and community relationships for schools and good publicity and customer loyalty for businesses.
The goal was to combine these partnership experiences and ideas to create a reference manual that provides those who believe that gardening is an important learning experience for children with practical insights and ideas from others who are trying out their school garden idea with students. Some of those who have contributed their experiences and ideas include: early elementary through high school teachers from urban and rural schools across the state; garden clubs providing money and expertise for pre-school gardens; garden centers helping to get a school greenhouse growing; specialty plant businesses teaching children about growing trees, and landscape designers offering their design expertise.
To receive a copy of the "Schoolyard Gardens and Their Community Partnerships" Manual send $10 to MAC, P.O. Box 345 Seekonk, MA 02771.
Teacher's Resource Guide
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom offers a Teacher's Resource Guide with sixteen pages filled with information on local and national agricultural commodity groups and their educational offerings. This resource includes many free and low cost educational offerings. To receive a free copy, send request to MAC, P.O. Box 345 Seekonk, MA 02771.
MAC Web Site Poster
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom produced an attractive and colorful 11" by 17" poster to promote our web address. To receive a free copy for your classroom, send request to MAC, P.O. Box 345 Seekonk, MA 02771.
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