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Nebraska programs focus on reaching educators, students

In an effort to spread the positive story of agriculture, many agricultural organizations are focusing on schools and looking for creative ways to reach elementary teachers and their students.

The Nebraska Soybean Board has helped develop two programs that are doing just that.

Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)

RET programs are designed to provide graduate-level classroom instruction and laboratory experiences for teachers.  According to Jon Pedersen, professor of science education and director of the Center for Science, Math and Computer Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the premise is that experience in the practice of food and agricultural science improves the quality and authenticity of teaching, which increases student interest and achievement.

AUDIO: Jon Pedersen (4 min MP3)

Farmer Debbie Borg of Allen, Nebraska helped develop the Nebraska Soybean Board’s RET pilot project.  Borg says RET is helping children develop a better understanding of the soybean system and the importance of soybeans and agriculture to our food supply.  She says the early feedback on the program has been very positive, with teachers reporting that student are making connections between soybeans in their classroom, the farm and growers, and the products that come from soybeans.

AUDIO: Debbie Borg (6 min MP3) 

Ag Sack Lunch Program

This program takes advantage of the fact that over 20,000 fourth-graders visit the State Capitol building in Lincoln each year as part of their curriculum. 

As part of their Capitol tour, the Nebraska Soybean Board and the Nebraska Pork Producers provide a sack lunch featuring nutritious foods produced in Nebraska, a 15-minute presentation by “Ag Ambassadors” on the vital role agriculture plays in the state’s economy, and a fact-filled card game designed for students to take home, which helps carry the ag-centered message to their families.

The Ag Ambassadors are University of Nebraska-Lincoln students trained to make the Ag Sack Lunch presentations.  We talked to Ag Ambassador Emilee Dorn of Hildreth, Nebraska following her recent visit with fourth graders from Exeter-Milligan.

AUDIO: Emilee Dorn (3 min MP3)

We also asked Susan Wait, the fourth grade teacher at Exeter-Milligan, for her thoughts on the Ag Sack Lunch program.

AUDIO: Susan Wait (2:30 MP3)

In all, 98 schools and nearly 4,600 students will have participated in the program through the 2010-2011 school year.

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