Summary 2020 — Nebraska

State Contact

Innovative Programming Conducted and Educational Resources Developed

To increase the use of the AgMag series, Nebraska AITC translated six issues into Spanish and made each issue compatible for students to complete online.

To improve professional development opportunities for teachers in Nebraska, a workshop was developed with the second largest school district in Nebraska. The workshop will host a nationally recognized speaker and use agriculture as the vehicle to teach related to phenomena-based learning in science standards.

To help get resources in teacher's hands we mailed a copy of our new resource, Mapping Our Food, to every elementary in Nebraska. We were able to track if teachers received based on communication with our teacher network, social media, and the number of extra requests we received for the resource.

We developed the following resources:

• Mapping Our Food - https://nefbfoundation.org/educators/teacher-resources/mapping-our-food
  Mapping Our Food is an integrated social studies and language arts educational resource for first grade classrooms that highlights ten Nebraska-grown products and the farmers who raise them. The complete kit includes letters from youth farmers, posters featuring food items, and a map with stickers to track the locations of Nebraska farmers and ranchers. The teacher's guide features connections to state standards, worksheets, and hands-on activities for further learning.
• AgMag Issues 5 & 6 - https://nefbfoundation.org/educators/teacher-resources/ag-mag
  AgMag is a weekly-reader style magazine for fourth-grade students that can enhance classroom learning as a large class discussion piece, an activity for small groups or individuals, or an at-home enrichment resource. Each issue of AgMag has a corresponding Teacher's Guide that contains classroom integration ideas, Nebraska content area standards connections, and a glossary. Each issue is available in-print, online, and in Spanish.
  Issue 5 Nebraska's Food Connection: Students will make a local connection to the food they eat by exploring the daily lives of farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses across the state.
  Issue 6 One Community: Students will understand agriculture connects people and fuels Nebraska's economy by exploring the history, inventions, careers, products, and trade of agriculture.
• Spring into Science: Farm in a Glove at Home - https://nefbfoundation.org/spring-into-science-farm-in-a-glove-at-home
  This twelve-day video and photo resource can be used at-home or in the classroom. Second grade students follow along with a Scientific Journal to learn the needs of plants. Five videos provide a daily update of each seed growing and feature facts about one seed each day. After the fifth video is complete, students can view photos of days 6 - 12 showing the growth of each seed.
• Lunchbox Mysteries - https://nefbfoundation.org/lunchbox-mysteries
  Engage in four short videos with Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom to discover how the food on your plate gets to you from a farmer's field. At the end of the lesson, students will be able to use common food items to create a healthy and nutritious snack. This series is a great fit for kindergarten - second grade learners.
• AgVenture Lesson Videos - https://nefbfoundation.org/agventure-lessons
  Join a virtual classroom to get up close with learning about food, the environment, nutrition, and business. Each lesson is aligned to Nebraska State Standards within science, social studies, math, or language arts.
• Facebook Live! at a Pig Farm - https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=643723383136564&ref=watch_permalink
  Previously recorded on April 16th, this Facebook Live took viewers to a pig farm! Farmer Lukas opened his barn doors to share how barns protect pigs from disease, predators, and weather to help them survive. Attendees were able to ask questions and receive answers in real time.
  After the live event, Farmer Lukas shared a video of his pig barn: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3450251358338036
• Facebook Live! Corn Planting - https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=525382558130924&ref=watch_permalink
  Previously recorded on May 7th, this Facebook Live took viewers to see corn planting in Central Nebraska! Farmer Mitch took viewers for a ride in the front seat of his tractor to discuss the science, technology, engineering, and math farmers use on the farm.
  After the live event, Farmer Mitch gave an update of the corn growing: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=303844644075014

Major Program Impacts or Outcomes

100% of pre-service teachers state they can see themselves using AITC resources in their classroom.

100% of Ag Pen Pal participants believe there is a need for the program in Nebraska schools.

100% of Ag Pen Pal participants feel the program is an effective way to form a positive connection with the next generation of consumers.

97% of teachers participating in a staff-led AITC Classroom Visit stated that the lesson increased their students' knowledge of agriculture.

62% of teachers participating in a Virtual Field Trip think that students learning about agriculture is a great benefit.

300% increase in number of views on the webpage for AgMag.

Program Leader Biosketch

Courtney Shreve is the Director of Outreach Education for the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. She directs the foundation's agricultural literacy programming and serves as the Nebraska State Contact to the National Agriculture in the Classroom program. She leads curriculum development, teacher engagement, and volunteer training within the foundation. Courtney serves as leadership in the central region as one of the representatives to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization's Executive Committee.

Courtney began her work with the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation in 2014. She worked as the Program Assistant and Manager of Education Programs prior to being named the Director of Outreach Education and State Contact in June 2016.

Courtney grew up in southeast Nebraska and spent most of her time working in her parent's custom meat processing plant. She was active in 4-H & FFA which allowed her to spend time on her grandparent's farm where she raised horses, cattle, and chickens.