Workshop Session 1:
Belief + Buy-in: How school districts can leverage partnerships for Farm to School Success
Presented By: Sophia Riemer-Bopp and Tracey Kimura, California Dept. of Food & Ag.
Learn from Farm to School leaders! California Department of Food and Agriculture's Farm to School program hosts an interactive session and panel discussion on how to leverage state resources and community partnerships to implement, fund, and develop agricultural education and Farm to School programs.​
Grades: K-6​​
Location: Pacific Ballroom II
Project Learning Tree Activity Demonstration
Presented By: Cynthia Chavez, Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is a nationally recognized environmental education curriculum. It is NGSS certified and can be used as a supplemental curriculum for formal educators. It is also geared towards non-formal or after school educators. Anyone looking to enhance students interest in the natural world is welcome to attend to learn more!
Grades: K-12
Location: Emerald Bay I
Soil Savvy: Cultivating Healthy Gardens with Hands-On Learning
Presented By: Mandi Bottoms, CA Ag in the Classroom and Jon Lewis, San Diego Master Gardeners
Perfect for teachers eager to bring the wonders of the garden into their classrooms, this session combines practical knowledge with interactive activities that will leave you inspired and equipped to nurture both soil and students. You’ll get your hands dirty with activities designed to teach students about soil quality and composition, composting, and plant health.
Grades: 3-8
Location: Emerald Bay II
Explore Dairy: A Tasty Journey into Healthy, Sustainable Eating
Presented By: Heather Berkoben, Dairy Council of California
Attend our interactive session with tasting activities to discover our newest program, Let’s Eat Healthy Together: Explore Dairy! Delve into our 5-lesson unit that promotes the value of milk and dairy in a healthy, sustainable eating pattern through engaging videos, taste tests, and activities focused on food discovery, nutrition, agriculture, and culture.
Grades: K-12
Location: Emerald Bay III
Workshop Session 2:
Funding for Tech-Savvy Ag Classrooms: Crafting Winning Grant Applications
Presented By: Anne Mikos, Farm-Ed
Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop designed specifically for agriculture educators seeking to upgrade their classroom technology. In this session, you'll learn how to craft a compelling and unique grant application that stands out to potential funders. We'll guide you through the essential components of a successful application, from identifying your classroom's specific technology needs to aligning your goals with those of funding organizations.
This hands-on workshop will provide you with practical activities, ready-to-use templates, and valuable resources to help you write a grant application that effectively communicates the impact of technology on student learning in agriculture. Additionally, we'll explore a variety of potential funding sources, ensuring you have a comprehensive toolkit to take back to your school.
By the end of this session, you'll be equipped with the skills and confidence to secure the funding needed to bring cutting-edge technology into your Ag classroom, enhancing both teaching and learning experiences.
Grades: K-12​​
Location: Pacific Ballroom II
How to Start a School Garden
Presented By: Kevin Jordan, Leo A. Palmiter Jr/Sr High School Teacher and 2024 CFAITC Outstanding Educator
Learn the basics of how to bring plants into your schools and classrooms. Discover the different strategies of creating and maintaining a successful and meaningful school garden. We will discuss gardening basics and explore the countless opportunities that cultivating plants can bring to our students.​
Grades: K-12​​
Location: Emerald Bay I
Got Grants?
Presented By: Meghan Manion and Toby, Temecula Valley High School
Create an aquaponics class or a new CTE Pathway with the help of grant funding. Learn how Temecula Valley High School built an aquaponics greenhouse and created their popular science elective course, Biosustainability. Also, learn how their new Plant and Soil Science Pathway, Regenerative Agriculture and Viticulture was created and funded with over 250K of grant funding. We want to show you the money! Learn about grant opportunities and gather resources! Engage in hands-on activities and lessons from these programs and enjoy farm fresh food and fun!​
Grades: 7-12​​
Location: Emerald Bay II
California Migrant Education Programs
Presented By: Alejandro Tamayo, Migrant Education Region 9
Did you know there's a Title I program designed to uplift students from families working in farming and agriculture? Discover how California's Migrant Education programs provide academic, social, and health support for these students. Learn how we create enriching after-school and summer programs tailored to their unique agricultural and cultural experiences, setting them up for future success in the field and beyond!
Grades: K-12​​
Location: Emerald Bay III
