2025 Teacher of the Year Award
NC Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom
What is the purpose of the award?
North Carolina Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom (NCFB AITC) program will honor a practicing North Carolina teacher who emphasizes agricultural concepts across the various areas of study. Agriculture is an important part of everyone’s life. Clothing, food, fuel, housing, medicine, and much more are rooted in agriculture. Agricultural issues can support the teaching of many academic disciplines.Recognizing this, we would like to honor educators across North Carolina that are effectively integrating agriculture into the classroom curriculum. Enclosed are the award guidelines, and the application. Teachers will be asked to submit award applications that describe their methods for incorporating agricultural concepts into their classrooms.
What is Ag in the Classroom?
Ag in the Classroom is a non-profit educational foundation sponsored by NCFB, which was created to promote an awareness and recognition of the importance of the sources of our food and fiber.Agriculture and related agribusinesses is the number one industry in the United States and in North Carolina. The program, comprised of three parts—curricula, professional development workshops for teachers, and county Farm Bureau support—is available to all North Carolina educators at no to sometimes little cost.
Who is eligible for this award?
Licensed North Carolina teachers currently teaching Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade in public, private, charter, or home schools, and are integrating agricultural concepts into non-agricultural curricula (i.e. reading, writing, math, science, etc.) are encouraged to apply. Agriculture teachers will not be considered for this award. NCFB AITC reserves the right not to select a recipient for this award if applicants do not meet the selection criteria.
Selection Criteria
A panel of judges will review the applications and evaluate them on the following criteria:
20% - Creativity and Utilization of Agricultural Information
The lesson/unit/project must be creative and interesting for students and help them become more knowledgeable about the food and fiber system. Reference should be made to the creative methods utilized in advancing student learning. A lesson/unit/project description (two page limit, single sided) must be included, citing original sources, if adapted. Optional related materials may be included, such as photos, student work sample or citing of additional resources. (20 points)
20% Interdisciplinary Approaches
This portion will focus on the degree to which agricultural concepts have been included in a variety of subjects and disciplines within the grade level. Value will be placed on the approach which teaches agriculture across the curriculum. Evidence is required to demonstrate that the project implements Ag in the Classroom lesson plans and/or related Ag literacy materials. (20 points)
20% - Advancement of Educational Standards
The degree to which the nominee aligns agricultural learning activities to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study must be addressed by the lesson/unit/project in two or more disciplines. Interdisciplinary programs are highly encouraged. (20 points)
20% - Student Impact
The degree of evidence from the teacher’s impact on student attitudes and overall learning directly connected with the lesson/unit/project. The lesson/unit/project should be adaptable for use by other teachers. (20 points)
20% - Endorsement by an Administrator
The degree to which a letter submitted by a school administrator substantiates the nominee’s excellence in, and dedication to, the teaching role. Project motivation should show teacher appreciation for agriculture and its current role in society. (20 points)
How will the teacher be recognized?
The winning teacher will be notified in March 2025, and will be:
1. Recognized at the NCFB Annual Meeting to be held in December 2025.
2. Invited to attend the 2025 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in June (location and dates, TBD) with registration, travel, and hotel expenses covered by NCFB AITC.
*All conference arrangements must be coordinated through NCFB AITC prior to the conference registration deadline. Funds may only be used for allowable travel expenses incurred by the recipient. They are NOT to be used to cover the costs of recipients' guests to the conference. Furthermore, it is at the discretion of NCFB AITC as to how the funds will be disbursed.
3. Presentation opportunities at future AITC workshops and events.
4. Encouraged to host an Ag in the Classroom professional development training in their school district.
The deadline to apply for the current cycle is February 15, 2025.
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Application Form
2025 NC Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award (To be submitted by the teacher)
Name
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First Name
Last Name
Home Mailing Address
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Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Preferred Phone Number
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Please enter a valid phone number.
Preferred Email address
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example@example.com
School Name
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School Address
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Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
NC County in which you teach. Include the school district name.
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Subject(s) and/or Grade Level(s) You Teach
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Local Newspaper Name
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Complete the following questions.
1. Describe the programs/methods used to incorporate agricultural concepts into your curriculum. At least one lesson/unit/project must be included, citing original sources, if adapted.
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2. What objectives from the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (or any other relevant curriculum standards) do you address in your teaching about agriculture?
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3. Please explain which agricultural concepts you focus on.
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4. Describe the impact these programs/methods have on the student attitudes and overall learning.
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5. What sources do you utilize for information regarding agriculture?
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6. In 300 words or less, please describe your motivation and philosophy for integrating agriculture into your classroom curriculum.
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7. A letter submitted and signed by a school administrator on official school letterhead that substantiates your excellence in, and dedication to, the teaching role must be sent to heather.morton@ncfb.org (subject of the email should be [applicant's name] Teacher of the Year Letter of Support). The administrator should know and express your appreciation for agriculture and its current role in society, your community, classroom, and school.
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I acknowledge that my school administrator must write a letter and either I or the school administrator must submit the letter via email to heather.morton@ncfb.org for my application to be considered complete.
If you have supporting documents or related materials, such as photos, citing of additional resources and/or evidence of Ag in the Classroom lesson plans and/or related agricultural literacy materials, please upload them here.
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