AITC teacher, Carlene Pearce-Houston, discusses the Equine Connection; a series of integrated lessons exploring some of the many ways to "put the horse in the lesson."

During the Ag In The Classroom Teacher Workshop,  teachers learn about how food and fiber moves from the source to the consumer. There are lots of hands-on seminars, field trips as well as plenty of ideas and support materials for fun classroom activities. Besides having a lot of fun, teachers earn ACT 48 hours or Penn State graduate credits. Applications are due by June 15, 2007.

Sponsorships that cover the cost of tuition, housing and meals are available! Check out the brochure.  All you pay is a small registration fee.

Educators from all states are invited to participate in the workshop.
Email aitc@pfb.com or call 717.761.2740 to register or for more information.

June is National Dairy Month, and a perfect time for a dairy-themed event! Although not an official ”Farm-City Council” event, we couldn’t pass up sharing this outstanding educational and entertaining event with you.

For the sixth year, the Strolling of the Heifers Parade & Festival will take place in Brattleboro, Vermont, June 1-3, 2007. This fun-filled celebration has been named one of Vermont’s Top Ten Summer Events for five years in a row. The Strolling of the Heifers Parade annually attracts an average of 40,000 spectators who come for the fun and the ice cream!

A group of civic leaders and farmers originally organized the events to increase the public’s awareness of how family farms contribute to the local community, Vermont’s agricultural landscape and heritage, and society overall. Their mission is to promote awareness of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives and to raise money to fund educationally oriented agricultural programs for youth.

Here’s the 2007 schedule of events

One of the creative entries in the "Funky Heifer" competition.

"Funky Heifer” Competition

Award-winning posters from the Farm-City Council of Alabama
poster contest for kids in grades K-3 and 4-6.

"Partners in Progress" was the theme for Farm-City Programs throughout Alabama last year, and it's a joint venture that's working well, judging by the participation in the state’s  Farm-City Awards Program held April 16 in Birmingham, AL.

The Farm-City Council of Alabama presented Farm of Distinction award to Billy and Terri Gilley of Cullman County. They received prizes valued at more than $10,000 and will represent Alabama in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition.

The National Farm-City Awards went to Coffee County Farm-City Committee and Chambers County Farm-City Committee.

Coffee County was recognized for having the best Farm-City Committee in the state, while students from Randolph and Calhoun counties took top honors in the state Farm-City Poster Contest. Writers from Randolph and Jackson counties claimed first-place prizes in the Farm-City Essay Contest.

The National Farm-City Council awards National Recognition Plaques and State Recognition Certificates for outstanding work in accomplishing the mission of Farm-City. National award winners (limited to two per state) receive a certificate mounted on a hardwood plaque.  State recognition winners receive a framed certificate. Both are great for hanging in your office to show your support and work on behalf of fostering greater understanding between urban and rural people.

Want to apply?  Just submit a form to your state Farm-City representative.
Learn more about the Farm-City recognition program. (PDF)