AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM (AITC)

- is a free, educational program designed for 3rd-6th grade students in Peoria County. Rooted in science, our 30-minute lessons are IL Standards-based and offer exposure to America’s food, fiber, and fuel (energy) system.

August/September

AGRICULTURE AND TRANSPORTATION

Agriculture is an important part of our everyday lives. We want to guide students to make agricultural connections with the food, fiber and (bio)fuel products they use daily. Students will discover the important relationship between agriculture and transportation, and how transportation impacts the distribution of agricultural products. We will encourage students to think about how transportation impacts their daily lives and the food they consume. Students will uncover the multitude of careers that play an integral part of the agricultural supply chain thus discovering the importance of roads, rivers and rails in Illinois.

October

PUMPKINS

Students will explore the significance of the pumpkin pie pumpkin as Illinois' number one commodity. They will learn about the lifecycle of the pumpkin, from planting to harvesting, and understand its economic impact on the state. In addition, we will uncover why the Dickinson pumpkin is our pumpkin of choice and how so many are grown right here in Peoria and Tazewell counties. Students will learn about simple machines and design their own pumpkin catapult.

November

CORN

Students in Peoria County cannot travel far without seeing a corn field. But do they know that not all corn is the same? Students will understand the process of planting, harvesting, and marketing field corn and sweet corn. They will learn about the differences between the types of corn, the steps involved in growing field corn, and the economic impact on Illinois. Students will learn the lifecycle of corn and investigate the parts of the corn seed through a dissecting activity.

January

DAIRY

Where does your milk come from? Dairy farms in Illinois produce a variety of products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt. Students will be introduced to simple vocabulary such as "dairy farm," "pasteurization," and "butter churn." They will also learn fun facts, like how a single cow can produce up to 8 gallons of milk a day and discover how the dairy products make it from the farm to their table! As an activity, students will get hands-on experience by making their own butter. This lesson will help students understand the importance of dairy farming and how it impacts their community.

February

FIBERS

Students will explore the fascinating world of fibers, focusing on wool and cotton. Wool comes from sheep and is known for its warmth and softness, making it perfect for cozy sweaters and blankets. Cotton, on the other hand, is a plant fiber that is lightweight and breathable, ideal for summer clothes and bed sheets. Students will learn simple vocabulary such as "fiber," "sheep," "cotton plant," and "spinning." They will discover how wool is sheared from sheep and how cotton is harvested from plants. The lesson will also include fun facts, like how wool can keep you warm even when wet and how cotton is used to make jeans. Possible sheep visit or bunny visit in February or March.

March

SPECIALTY LIVESTOCK

Students will learn about specialty livestock, which includes animals like goats, llamas, alpacas, and rabbits. These animals are raised for various purposes, such as producing milk, wool, and meat. Students will be introduced to simple vocabulary such as "livestock," "fiber," and "dairy." They will discover interesting facts, like how goats can produce milk that is used to make cheese and how alpacas have soft wool that is used for making clothes. The lesson will also highlight the economic importance of these animals to local farmers and the community. This lesson will help students appreciate the diversity of livestock and the valuable contributions they make to our daily lives.

April

HAY

Students will learn about hay and the different types of grasses used to produce it, which are essential for feeding livestock during Illinois' cold winter months. Hay is made from dried grasses and legumes, such as alfalfa, timothy, and clover. These plants are harvested, dried, and stored to provide a nutritious food source for animals like cows, horses, and sheep when fresh pasture is not available. Students will be introduced to simple vocabulary such as "hay," "legumes," and "forage." They will discover interesting facts, like how alfalfa is rich in protein and how timothy grass is easy to digest for animals. Students will understand the importance of hay in livestock farming and how it supports the well-being of animals during the winter. Students will learn the history of haymaker’s punch and/or students will grow their very own grass by completing the Soil Sam activity.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Glover, Ag Literacy Coordinator, at agcoordinator.peoriacounty@gmail.com.

A few of our AITC students had questions about all the pumpkins that are grown right here in Central Illinois. We would like to thank the Princeville FFA officers for answering their questions.