Photo: A row of NAITC conference participants holds up the soybean lifecycle model to demonstrate how teachers could incorporate lessons from the curriculum matrix into their classrooms
The local education program director for Loess Hills Agriculture in the Classroom (LHAITC), Melanie Bruck, says she never expected to be an ambassador for agriculture literacy having grown up in the city, let alone being given the opportunity to present at a national conference. On June 29, the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference (NAITC) was held in Des Moines with the theme of “Fields of Dreams.” Bruck was asked to put together a workshop on the importance of soybeans. She developed a presentation aimed at third through eighth grade students titled, “Soybeans, Fueling American Agriculture. “Being able to educate others about agriculture is such a rewarding experience,” Bruck says. “And now, teachers who attended my workshop can take what I have learned and present it to THEIR students!” The exploration of a mature soybean plant had to start earlier than June, so Bruck harvested and stored plants in her basement last October. Participants then used a soybean life cycle model to illustrate how it goes from a seed, to a sprout, from a plant to a flower and from a pod to harvest. With this first presentation a success, Bruck is already planning ahead for next year and considering what agriculture resources she will share. The 2022 conference will be held from June 28 to July 1 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Loess Hills Agriculture in the Classroom aims to increase agriculture literacy in Carroll, Crawford, Harrison, Shelby and Pottawattamie Counties.
