Hello, everyone! My name is Alexandra (Alex) Osborn, and I am so excited to be starting as the new Education Program Coordinator! I am originally from Wellington, Missouri, where I grew up as a mem…| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) has many resources available for all ages. For one central Iowa high school student, her connection to IALF has found her many opportunities to provide those resources to others. Planting Knowledge from Fields to Classrooms & Cultivating Agriculture Literacy IALF collaborates with partners across Iowa to connect teachers and … Continue reading A high school student advocates agriculture literacy with the IALF team.| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
Have you ever wondered what the labels on a package of beef tells you? USDA, Grass-Fed, organic; what do they all mean? All cuts of meat are graded based on their quality, tenderness, and yield. Grade is based off the UDSA Beef Grading System which was developed in the 1920s. The yield, which is how … Continue reading Beef Labels| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
Spring is in the air, and you might be thinking it’s time to start your spring cleaning. Getting ready for the summer without all the clutter inside and outside. But have you ever thought about what a beef producer does for their spring cleaning? Perhaps someone washing tractors, working cattle, or updating records and paperwork … Continue reading A Beef Operations Spring Cleaning| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
What is the greenest crop in Iowa? You might say clover, corn, or grass but it is actually Evergreen trees. These trees are green year-round while those other species are harvested or go dormant during the winter months. Iowa’s Christmas Tree Varieties White Pine, Scotch Pine, Concolor Fir, Canaan Fir, Fraser Fir, and Blue Spruce … Continue reading How to Dispose of your Christmas Tree| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
Happy Porktober! October, or National Pork Month, is a pretty big deal here in Iowa with 174,105 jobs associated with the pork industry. My name is Elle Ploeger, and I was chosen to serve as the 2023 Iowa Pork Queen for the Iowa Pork Producers. I grew up helping my dad raise show pigs in … Continue reading Careers in the Swine Industry| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
This summer, the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) team was busy traveling across the state of Iowa to host 7 different teacher professional development workshops. Each workshop had a unique theme and showcased the diversity of Iowa agriculture. For me, as a new member of the IALF team, it was a great way to get … Continue reading Summer Workshop Spotlight – Highland View Farms| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
In our rapidly evolving world, providing students with a foundational understanding of agriculture takes on a vital role. Beyond cultivating an appreciation for their food sources, agriculture literacy equips young minds with a diverse array of skills and provides a deeper connection to the environment and community that surrounds them. Agriculture is also one of … Continue reading Top 10 Reasons to Teach Students About Agriculture| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
One of my favorite parts of summer is going to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. This conference is held each year towards the end of June, and it brings together a group of educators that have a common passion, agriculture literacy. As a national conference the location travels around the U.S., and this … Continue reading Go Beyond the Beaches: National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference Activity Highlights| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean the learning has stopped. Not only have we been busy teaching all about agriculture, but we’ve been busy learning too! Between school programs, conferences, teacher programs, and summer workshops we’ve had the chance to meet a lot of people across Iowa and even the United States! Student Programs The … Continue reading What We’ve Been Up To| Iowa Agriculture Literacy
