Summary 2022 — Indiana

State Contact

Innovative Programming

1. Presented at Indiana Family Consumer Science Conference - over 100 FCS teachers were present. Hosted a workshop, round tables and booth. The increase of emails and inquires from FCS proved it was beneficial to add this conference to the calendar.
2. Presented at the Indiana FCCLA convention. Students were the audience along with some FCS teachers. Students were interested in learning more about activities found on the matrix.
3. Presented at the Indiana Literacy Association Conference. Highlighted the INFB Book of the Year program and other materials such as Ag Mags. A new audience yet showed great interest.
4. Presented at Purdue Sigma Alpha chapter meeting. Over 70 young professionals became aware of Ag in the Classroom.
5. Continuation of AITC summer workshops. These workshops have become a signature staple to INFB AITC programming. An increase in teacher attendance continued for the third year in a row. Three sites provided a variety of speakers and ease of travel for educators who attended.
6. Host the 2nd INFB Ag Literacy Challenge - this is an award program for Indiana FFA Chapters to showcase their agriculture literacy efforts in their communities. The winning chapter receives a $1,000 grant to further their agriculture literacy efforts. Each district winner receives a $250 grant. District winning chapters are invited to a luncheon where the INFB Young Farmers and Ag Professionals state committee hosts leadership workshops.

Major Program Impacts or Outcomes

The Indiana Farm Bureau Agricultural Literacy Challenge is an award program for Indiana FFA chapters to highlight agricultural literacy efforts in their local communities. https://www.infarmbureau.org/YFAP/ag-literacy-challenge

This program had experienced a refresh in 2021 with great response. However in 2022, there was an even a greater participation. The Ag Literacy Challenge provides grant funds to winning chapters.

I have seen a greater interest from the student body to further agricultural literacy efforts. I do believe this has to do with a greater emphasis on ""agricultural education"" opportunities such as SAE, competitions and ""Teach Ag"" campaigns.

The objectives of this award is:

• Highlight activities that help consumers become better informed about Indiana agriculture.
• Emphasize activities conducted by FFA members to promote agricultural practices and policies, or their education efforts that stimulate action in the ag community.
• Collaborate and maintain positive relationships with community leaders who support agricultural education.
• I have seen students want to share their knowledge. When young people are provided excellence in content knowledge from their instructors, they want to share the experience. I truly feel the lessons provided via the matrix are a perfect example of ""active learning"". Lessons provide students experimental learning/hands-on learning, thus students gain by doing.

Program Leader Biosketch

Not reported for 2022