1. Literacy for Life Grants
Deadline: Oct. 1, 2014
Have you wanted to take your class on an agriculturally themed field trip, purchase a class set of books focusing on agriculture, or host a farm day? Here is your chance! Grant possibilities are limitless, be creative and innovative with your idea! Applications for the 2014 Literacy for Life Grants are now available! These grants are designed to initiate new projects or expand existing projects that promote agricultural literacy.
For grant ideas, and to apply, visit www.LearnAboutAg.org/literacyforlife.
2. 2014 California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference
Oct. 16-18, 2014, Santa Cruz, CA
Early Bird Registration Deadline: September 15, 2014
Engaging workshops, exciting field trips, and dynamic speakers are just a few of the experiences that attendees will participate in at the 2014 California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. Registration is currently open for this year's conference, Common Core & California Crops. The conference will provide attendees with resources that connect students to the real world and help them develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
For additional conference details, and to register, visit www.LearnAboutAg.org/conference.
3. Imagine this... Story Writing Contest
Deadline: Nov. 1, 2014
Put your students' imaginations and creative writing skills to use with the Imagine this... Story Writing Contest. This contest promotes creative writing, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication, meets Common Core State Standards, and helps students make real-life connections to agriculture. Six stories, one from each grade level, three through eight, will be selected as state winners.
For more information, and to download the entry form, visit www.learnaboutag.org/imaginethis.
4. Invasive Species Action Week
Aug. 2-10, 2014
The goal of the 2014 California Invasive Species Action Week is to increase public awareness of invasive species issues and promote public participation in California's fight against invasive species and their impacts on our natural resources. Local events will be hosted across California throughout the week. To help, you can find out which species are threats to California, learn about California's invasive plants, get to know your local invaders, select native or non-invasive plants for your garden, and much more.
For more information and to find an event in your area, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/actionweek.
5. Journey Into Earth Summer Camp
Aug. 4-8, 2014, Sacramento, CA
Ideal for students ages eight to 12, The California Museum's week long summer camp provides participants an engaging and entertaining learning experience in a unique museum setting and offers opportunities to explore exhibits like Dig It! The Secrets of Soil designed by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History! Admission: $150.00 (for the week) per child for museum members or $180.00 per child for non-members.
For more information, or to register, visit www.CaliforniaMuseum.org/summer-camp.
6. CFBF Photo Contest
Deadline: Sept. 30, 2014
There is still time to enter! CFAITC has partnered with the California Farm Bureau Federation to create a category in their annual Photo Contest for artists ages 13 and younger who are children of Farm Bureau members. These budding artists should submit their own photos showcasing California agriculture. First place receives $250, second place receives $100, and ten entrants will receive a copy of the book Imagine this... Stories Inspired by Agriculture.
Photos can be submitted online at www.cfbf.com/CFBF/Programs/CFBF_Programs.
7. Farm Academy Live
Farm Academy Live is a free, interactive video conferencing program built to meet the Common Core State Standards for grades three to four. Farm Academy Live provides students with a virtual field trip to an agricultural destination, allowing them the opportunity to experience firsthand, agricultural production and processing methods they may never be able to experience otherwise. Each lesson provides students with a hands-on engaging activity. Students will learn about where their food and fiber comes from and meet the farmers that produce the products they have grown to love.
For more information, or to schedule a class for next year, visit www.farm-academy.org. 