FARM & FOREST EXPO

Come visit us at the 35th annual Farm & Forest Expo at the Radisson Manchester Downtown Hotel.  An agricultural  trade show with 100 exhibitors, free educational workshops, unique NH made products, Kidzone, demonstrations, live animals and much more.  Friday, February 2nd 9:00 - 8:00 and Saturday, February 3rd from 9:00 to 4:00.   more information

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM CONFERENCE
&
CHS Registration Scholarships

For the fifth year, the CHS Foundation is sponsoring teachers from across the nation to attend the Agriculture in the Classroom Conference 'Agriculture for ME on Land and Sea' in Portland, Maine June 27-29.  They are graciously providing $20,000 in scholarships to fund dozens of deserving K-12 teachers.  A choice of over 80 hands-on workshops, traveling workshops, keynote speakers and networking events will provide exceptional learning opportunities for these teachers to increase their comfort level in agricultural topics and to integrate agricultural content into instruction to meet academic standards in Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math and Health/Nutrition.  If you would like to participate in an engaging professional development experience and connect with educators from across the country, you should consider applying for this scholarship, which covers the cost of early bird registration of $435.  All other travel costs are the responsibility of the individual.       

Portland is the closest this conference will be to New Hampshire for at least eight years.  Take advantage of this great opportunity! 
Space is limited and it is filling up quickly, so register now!   

                                 conference information

The scholarship application deadline is Friday March 2, 2018.  

scholarship application      (scroll to the bottom of the page)    
2018 FREE SEED PROGRAM

UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are offering free seeds for schools, scout troops, 4-H clubs, community gardens and any education-based or youth group and individuals. Vegetable, flower and herb seed packets are available for pick up at the UNH Education Center in Goffstown or they can be mailed.  Tax-deductible donations are welcomed to cover postage.  Limit of 15 packets per organization.   New this year, antique and heirloom varieties from Strawberry Banke. 

Order forms are due  May 18th                More Information
Strawberry Banke Seed Fact Sheets         General Garden Info Sheets
2018 AGRICULTURAL LITERACY BOOK NOW AVAILABLE 

Seed Soil Sun by Cris Peterson is New Hampshire's 2018 Agricultural Literacy
book of the year.   Appropriate for grades 
K-4, this book uses wonderful photographs to explore soil, follow germination, look at composting, touch on photosynthesis and discover the edible parts of a plant.   If you would like a copy of the book along with the Educators' Resource Guide, please contact NHAITC.  The cost is $6 each if picked up at the Farm Bureau in Concord.  We can mail them directly to you for an additional $2.50 per book.
TAPPING INTO MAPLE TRADITION

Our video has been updated with additional content and is now available on YouTube.  It is packed with information and has grown to 17 1/2 minutes long.  Here are a few time reference points if you are looking for specific topics:
Also available on our website, a new companion booklet for elementary students visiting a sugar house.

CLASSROOM CONNECTION  

There are some great online, interactive resources:

Journey2050                (grades 6-12)
Journey 2050 takes students on a virtual farm simulation that explores world food sustainability. Using an inquiry based approach the program encourages students to make decisions and adjust them as they see their impact on society, the environment and the economy at a local and global scale . AITC has developed a series of lessons to accompany the virtual experience.

My American Farm         (pre-K - 5th)
An educational game platform used to engage learners in the discovery of relevant agricultural issues. Today the free site offers agriculturally-themed games and more than 100 free educator resources such as ag lesson plans, activity sheets and comics.

Interactive Ag Mags       ( grades 2-6)
The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Ag Mags are 4-page, colorful agricultural magazines for kids. They contain information about agriculture, bright pictures, classroom activities and agricultural careers. Many are ready for SmartBoard interactive use.

NHAITC OUT & ABOUT

 Farm & Forest Expo
 The Radisson in Manchester
 Feb 2nd & 3rd, 2018

  2018 School to Farm Days
 Merrimack County         5/10/18
 Sullivan County             5/16/18
 Grafton/Coos Counties   5/24/18
  Rockingham/Strafford 
    Counties at UNH         6/5-7/18
 Belknap County             9/18/18
 
 registration links can be found   on our website: 

 PLAN AHEAD:
 the 2018  National Agriculture   in the Classroom Conference    will be in Portland, Maine          June 26-29, 2018

CLASSROOM SUPPORT

Scotts Miracle-Gro School and Community Garden Grants
Apply for one of 130  Grassroots Grants for local communities to help bring pollinator habitats, edible gardens and public green spaces to neighborhoods across the United States.   Applications are due 2/19/18.
Connect with us for the latest news and resources:

nhaitc@nhfarmbureau.org  I  www.agclassroom.org/nh  I  (603) 224-1934

SUPPORT  NHAITC