The Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom Program recognizes a Louisiana teacher for achievements and efforts in teaching students the importance of agriculture.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Certified teachers who integrate agricultural concepts into non-agricultural curricula and currently engaged in classroom instruction at the Pre-K through 12th grade levels are eligible to enter. Past winners are eligible to apply ten years following their award.

WHAT WILL THE WINNER RECEIVE?
The winner receives a trip to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, June 23 – June 26 in Minneapolis, MN (valued at up to $1,500), a $500 cash award and an iPad.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTION?
Teachers must use and show evidence of the use of agricultural information and/or materials within the classroom curriculum in an effort to assist students in learning the importance of agriculture. Instruction may include, but is not limited to: understanding the importance and value of agriculture in students' daily lives; understanding the relationships among agriculture, food and fiber production, animals, health, energy systems, technology, economics, and the environment; identifying and understanding the connections between academic content areas and agricultural careers including, but not limited to, STEM careers; understanding the overall connectedness between STEM and agriculture. Innovative, integrated and interdisciplinary programs are encouraged. To earn this distinction, the selected applicant should include numerous, varied evidence of the teacher’s infusion of agricultural concepts throughout the curriculum and school year. Evidence of specific lessons and activities from the LA AITC website and the NAITC Matrix will enhance the application.

EVALUATION CRITERIA*

A. Educator Narrative (25 points)

The degree to which an educator exemplifies leading instruction on accurate agriculture knowledge, attitudes, and skills and demonstrates teaching excellence in gaining student understanding of selected agricultural literacy theme(s). Grants, community extensions, professional development relating to the narrative topic for other educators, and awards for teaching about narrative content will also be considered. (four-page limit)

B. Infusion of Agricultural Concepts in the Entire Classroom (25 points)

The degree to which evidence presented indicates a monthly timeline of lessons used with the students. The submitted lesson plan should be one of many that are used to expose students to agricultural concepts. Indication of use of specific lessons and activities from the LA AITC website and the NAITC Matrix will earn more points in the judging process. (two-page limit)

C. Exemplary Lesson Plan (25 points)

The degree to which accurate agricultural concepts have been integrated into a standards-based education plan, which includes a critical thinking element and demonstrates for the learner a deeper understanding of the relationships between agricultural systems, individuals, and the world. (six- page limit)

D. Education Practices (10 points)

The degree to which the educator utilizes formal education practices for integrated, standards-based lesson plan with demonstrated understanding of accurate agricultural literacy.  This criteria will be evaluated from the educator narrative (A), monthly timeline (B) and lesson plan (C).

E. Documentation and Photos (10 points)

The degree to which photos and other documentation exhibit excellence in agricultural literacy methods used by the applicant, to include but not limited to: news articles, bulletin board examples relating to agricultural literacy, community outreach, school newsletters, grant award letters, etc. (four-page limit)

F. Formatting of Application (5 points)

The degree to which the applicant has completed the application in accordance to the instructions. Identifying information such as name, school and parish should not be included in the Narrative, Monthly Timeline, Lesson Plan or Documentation and Photos.

Bonus:  Attendance at a Louisiana AITC Workshop (Bonus Value: 5 points)

Five points can be earned if applicant attended a state workshop sponsored by the LA AITC Committee.

*A panel of judges familiar with agriculture, education and AITC will evaluate all nominations. Your name and parish will be removed from the application for judging.

 

Winner will be announced by April 1, 2025.                                                                   

1. Educator Narrative (four-page limit): Do not use any identifying information (name, parish, school) in your narrative. Describe your method of integrating and instructing one or more of the following National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes (NALOs) in the teacher's classroom throughout the school year and curricular areas. How did you use the theme (or themes) used to increase agricultural literacy? Note on the first line of the narrative which theme(s) you are addressing:
   
   1. Agriculture and the Environment
   2. Plants and Animals for Food, Fiber and Energy
   3. Food, Health and Lifestyle
   4. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
   5. Culture, Society, Economy and Geography

      For additional information on the national agricultural literacy themes visit: https://cdn.agclassroom.org/nat/data/get/NALObooklet.pdf. 

2. Infusion of Agricultural Concepts in the Entire Classroom and School Year (two-page limit): Indicates a monthly timeline of lessons used to expose students to agricultural concepts. Give evidence of the use of specific activities found on the LA AITC website or the NAITC Matrix. The submitted lesson plan (item C) should be one of many that are used to expose students to agricultural concepts.
   
   
3. Exemplary Lesson Plan (six-page limit): Submit one lesson plan, which illustrates the agricultural literacy teaching method as described in the narrative. (Be sure to give credit to the appropriate sources, if applicable.) Evaluation criteria includes use of standards-based, formal education practices for teaching agricultural literacy, which are integrated into multiple academic content areas rather than a single subject area.  Evaluation also includes critical thinking aspects, ones which encourage problem-solving by learners for a deeper understanding of agricultural issues. Do not use any identifying information (name, parish, school) in the lesson plan. Please include the following content according to the order below in the lesson plan:  
   
   
   1. Title of the lesson
   2. Brief purpose of the lesson
   3. Grade level(s) addressed
   4. Time length of lesson
   5. Objective of the lesson
   6. Standards addressed (limit the standards list to no more than one-half page)
   7. National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes (NALOs) addressed
      https://cdn.agclassroom.org/nat/data/get/NALObooklet.pdf
   8. Materials list
   9. Vocabulary or key words
   10. Instructor procedures
   11. Additional resource(s) which enhance the lesson, no external links. Screenshots or worksheet images may be used to illustrate student components
   12. Resources used from the LA AITC website or the NAITC Matrix
   13. Assessment (list five essential questions that students should understand and be able to answer after having been taught the lesson)
        
4. Education Practices: The degree to which formal education practices for an integrated, innovative, standards-based lesson plan with deomnstrated understanding of accurate agricultural literacy will be evaluated from the educator narrative (A), monthly timeline (B) and lesson plan (C).
   
   
5. Documentation and Photos (four-page limit): Applicants compile photos and other documentation of instruction on agricultural literacy. Please use quality images and add a brief caption at the bottom of each photo to describe the activity. No external links may be used. Save this file as a PDF. Do not use any identifying information (name, parish, school) in documentation and photos. 
   
   
6. Formatting the Application for Submission: Use a 12-point font, double-spaced with one-inch margins. Each applicant should clearly label the parts of their application and submit them with the following format for each electronic PDF file: name, document title.
   

   Example:
   Jane Doe Application Form.pdf
   Jane Doe Narrative.pdf
   Jane Doe Monthly Timeline.pdf
   Jane Doe Lesson Plan.pdf
   Jane Doe Documentation.pdf

7. Application Form

 

DEADLINE: January 31, 2025

Important information on completing and submitting your online application:

1. All applications must be typed using the JotForm online application. No handwritten forms will be accepted.
   
   
2. The applicant should carefully read through this application and entry form BEFORE filling out any part of it.
   
   
3. Applications must be electronically submitted to Lynda Danos by JANUARY 31, 2025 at 11:59pm CST.
   
   
4. Every time you work on your application, even if you are not ready to submit, you will need to click the BLUE "Save and Continue Later" button on the very bottom of the application page. A popup box will appear and you must click "SKIP CREATE AN ACCOUNT" and you will be prompted to enter your email address. You will receive an email that contains a link that will take you back to your online application. When you return back to your online application, you will be able to make edits and revisions until submission deadline of January 31, 2025 at 11:59pm CST.
   
   
5. Once you have completed your application and are ready to submit the final version, you will need to click on the ORANGE "Submit" button on the last page of the application. You will receive a confirmation email that will include a PDF attachment of your application submission. 

I certify that the information submitted with the application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Applicant’s signature further expressly grants permission to the Louisiana Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. and the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation to use these submitted materials at future Ag in the Classroom functions or appropriate public forums, to publicize in whatever manner including, but not limited to, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and Louisiana Ag in the Classroom website.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SAVING TO CONTINUE LATER

DO NOT CREATE A JOTFORM ACCOUNT!!!!

After you click the "Save and Continue Later" button a popup box will appear and you MUST click "SKIP CREATE AN ACCOUNT" and you will be prompted to enter your email address.