Ag in the Classroom Lewis County

Ag in the Classroom

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County, in partnership with NYS Agriculture in the Classroom, presents an educational program for teachers within Lewis County school districts. Each month, educators receive a box of lesson plans and all necessary lesson materials to incorporate various seasonally-appropriate agricultural concepts into the classroom. We’ll explore a fresh menu of themed lessons and hands-on activities connecting students to local food and agriculture – and Common Core standards.

Who Can Participate?

These monthly deliveries are available to teachers within Lewis County school districts. Multiple classrooms from the same school can participate. The lessons can be adapted to fit various grade levels and abilities.

Curriculum

Most lessons offered through this program are selected through the Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix, which contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards and next generation science standards. The themes of each month’s activities will be shared with Lewis County Food Service Directors, so they can coordinate fresh, seasonal menus featuring the foods and products students are learning about in their classrooms.

This is our Harvest of the Month schedule for the 2024-2025 school year:

November: Squash

December: Potatoes

January: Dairy

February: Corn

March: Maple

April: Spinach (and other greens)

May: Onions

June: Honey (and pollination)

How It Works

Each month, educators who have signed up for our free Farm to School e-newsletter will receive an email announcing the featured seasonal topic, along with the lesson plans and supplemental resources, such as virtual field trips or hands-on activities. Select the lessons and resources that are relevant to your classroom, and we’ll deliver them later that month! The program spans November 2024 to May 2025.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Outreach Visits

CCE Lewis County is also pleased to provide in-class visits to school classrooms to enhance lesson plans by providing outside resources and knowledge of the agricultural arena. These are available by appointment.

Register for Free!

Educators can register for free monthly kits through Ag in the Classroom at https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/LewisCountyAITC_223 We’ll add you to the list for our next monthly Farm to School e-newsletter!

Additional Information

Stay tuned for Ag in the Classroom’s annual ice cream, mac and cheese, and maple syrup contests! For more information about using agriculture in the classroom, contact David Nisley, Farm to School Education Coordinator, at drn44@cornell.edu or 315-376-5270.

Last updated November 12, 2024