Maple sugaring season, free seeds and interesting resources . . .

Check out what is going on at NHAITC!

April 2017

Maple Sugaring is in Full Swing

F uture maple producers from Mast Way School

Moharimet Sugar House with Jim Davis

Lincoln St. Elementary

Steam can be seen rising from a number of schools across the state as they produce their own maple syrup. Whether using a turkey fryer or a full scale evaporator, classes can be seen putting the science, math and technology of maple production into action. Fifteen of those schools are in a heated competition to win the NH Maple Producer's $2,000 classroom Felker Award for the best student produced maple syrup. Samples will be judged at Maple Producers' summer meeting in July.

Moharimet Elementary School in Madbury has been boiling sap for 25 years. The entire school is involved in the syrup making process with each class bei ng responsible for specific trees. Collecting sap and delivering it to the onsite sugar house is part of the classroom routine. Teachers incorporate lessons based on the core academic areas involved in maple production. The program is supported by their annual pancake breakfast where students present some of their work. Lincoln Street Elementary School in Exeter is just getting started with their program. With the use of a turkey fryer, they are well underway to creating future maple producers!

NH Ag in the Classroom has developed a curriculum which focuses on core academic areas using maple syrup production as a theme. Lessons and activities include botany, history, math, c hemistry, language arts, engineering, and GIS mapping. Visit our website for links . While you are there, take a look at our videos . If you would like copies of our new educational poster for your classroom, just send us an email which includes your name, school or organization, grade and mailing address.

Free School Garden Seed Program

New H ampshire Master Gardeners, in cooperation with UNH Co operative Ext ension Service, are excited to launch a free seed program for school gardens across the state. The initial offering includes 2015 and 2016 seeds donated by seed companies and local sellers. For this year, there is a limit of 15 seed packets per school. Choose from a variety of vegetables, flowers and herbs. information and order form

Questions on Starting Seeds?

The UNH Cooperative Extension Education Center answers some questions o n starting seeds. The article addresses seed selection, light, temperature and moisture. Get those gardens going!

Full Article

2017 Annual Agricultural Literacy Program

This year's book for the annual Agricultural Literacy Program is "Corn" by Gail Gibbons. This delightfully illustrated book shares information on the history, the production and the uses of corn. The Educator Resource Guide features related activities and lessons, a letter from the author, notes from the UNH contributor, plus an introduction to GMOs. We invite you to purchase the book and guide for $6 so that you can share it with a local classroom. They can be picked up at the Farm Bureau in Concord or mailed for an additional $2.50 per set. Email us if you would like us to send some your way.

Two Classroom Resources

New Hampshire Harvest of the Month provides

ready-to-go educational materials that can be utilized by classroom and home educators, food service professionals, farmers, families, and more! The website offers healthy recipes highlighting the monthly fruit or vegetable that can be adapted to fit the needs of both food service professionals as well as individuals and families. Click here for more information.

A kick-off event will be held at Stonewall Farm in Keene on May 3rd, 4:00 - 6:00 pm. More information can be found here .

P r oject Green Schools offers resources for schools and classrooms grades 2-1 2 for "greening your school". Free membership is offered to teachers, educa tors, students, and administrators. Green Schools partners with you as you tackle the greening of your school, educating your students on environmental issues, and accessing appropriate classroom activities.

When you become a Green Schools Member, they will provide you with monthly newsletters and environmental information packets based on the Green Schools 12 Pathways. You will receive a dedicated URL to access the 12 Pathways, have access to their resource list where you can find an ever-expanding list of project ideas, receive assistance from their partner organizations, and learn more about upcoming webinar and podcast series for students and educators. T he 12 pathways include areas such as food and agriculture, waste management, STEM, green living and healthy communities. More information can be found here.

CLASSROOM CONNECTION NHAITC OUT & ABOUT

Inside the Egg: Students will learn about biology by studying embryo development in chicken eggs. Grades K-2 Grades 3-5

Supreme Seeds: Grades K-4

Students will observe various types of seed, be introduced to the many uses of seeds, taste edible seeds, and make a seed mosaic.

Inherited Traits in the Living Corn Necklace: Students will observe the growth of Indian corn and popcorn seeds, observe similarities and differences between the two varieties, and discuss heredity.

Grades 3-5 Grades 6-8

Global Trade and Interdependence: Grades 9-12 Students will examine the impacts of the Columbian Exchange and identify the economic and cultural impacts of contemporary global agricultural trade. They will also explore how food choices influence patterns of food production and consumption.

National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix . Search the online, standards-based curriculum map for K-12 instructional, classroom-ready resources

Alvirne Open Farm Day

May 6, 2017 Alvirne High School in Hudson, NH 9:00-2:00

Tour the dairy farm, watch forestry students, check out the flowers and try a craft.

Merrimack County School to Farm

May 11, 2017 4th grade

Carter Hill Orchard in Concord

Sullivan County School to Farm

May 26, 2017 4th grade

Sullivan County Farm in Unity

Grafton/Coos County School to Farm

May 24, 2017 4th grade

new event at The Rocks Estate in Bethlehem! register here