Nevada Agriculture in the Classroom
Home
Teacher Resources
Events & Programs
Related Links
County Contacts
About Us
 
   
ABOUT NEVADA AITC 
 
   
Contact Information
Dennis Hellwinkel, Coordinator, Nevada AITC and FLP
Mail: 4 Hall Ln, Yerington NV 89447
Phone: 775.463.1604
Mobile: 775.303.2385
E-mail: dhell@oasisol.com

Webmaster: yasuko.grow@usu.edu

About Us
After the quiet months of winter, springtime signals the beginning of Agriculture in the Classroom activities throughout the state of Nevada. These activities range from programs for students, both in and out of the classroom, to teacher workshops in which graduate level and inservice credits are earned. In Nevada, Ag in the Classroom is a county-based program; it falls under no one organization, rather different groups carry out the program in the various counties. The Cattlewomen, the Extension Service, the Nevada Beef Council, the Nevada Dairy Council, and the Farm Bureau are key to this effort. Each county sponsoring Ag in the Classroom programs tailors its activities to meet its local needs. Typically, both local agricultural representatives and teachers in the classroom are involved in developing the programs. This gives real strength our local activities. Some programs are long established and others are much newer. The important thing is that we in agriculture, working with our local schools, are taking the story of agriculture to Nevada’s classrooms. An overview of current activities in Nevada shows that:
  • Carson City conducts a teachers’ workshop followed by a Farm Day for approximately 2000 children from the local area.
  • Churchill County hosts a teachers’ workshop and then welcomes over 3500 students to the Fallon Farm Festival held at the county fair
  • Clark County conducts a teachers’ conference during the summer with an enrollment limit of one hundred teachers. This is followed in September by the Las Vegas Farm Festival with over 7000 school children participating.
  • Douglas County holds an Ag Day with presentations by various commodity groups and individuals at a different elementary school each year.
  • Elko County plans a combination teachers' workshop and ranch field day for the students of the teachers who have participated in the workshop.
  • Eureka County has held a Farm Day and hosted a traveling dairy display and is currently seeking volunteers to continue with its program
  • Earlier this spring Humboldt County held its first ever Ag Fair in the community’s new Indoor Arena for all of the county’s third graders. The previous seven years it sponsored a teachers' workshop on a variety of agricultural topics.
  • Lincoln County plans its second Farm Festival this fall.
  • Pershing County held its first activity this spring, taking their program to the county’s 3rd graders.
  • Traditionally Washoe County kicks off the season with its Farm City Festival. More than 4-5,000 Washoe County students in grades K-3 are bused to the event held at the county fairgrounds to see and learn about a host of farm animals.

Each of the programs provides an opportunity for teachers and students to learn about life on the farm/ranch. They have a first hand look at farm animals, learn about the animal byproducts and about the many different farm crops that are raised in Nevada. Other topics, such as farm economics have been discussed with the students to give them a more realistic idea of what it takes to be a farmer/rancher. For many students and even the teachers this is a first ever opportunity to learn about agriculture, one that can generate a whole lot of excitement and enthusiasm. As a part of these programs, teachers are provided with materials and references for use in the classroom to build upon these activities. In every county we are deeply indebted to the farmers and ranchers and professionals in agriculture who give so willingly of their time, sharing their expertise and experiences with the program participants.

Ag in the Classroom is nationwide in scope. Recognizing the interlocking role of farming/ranching and food and fiber production with the quality of our environment, in 1981 the United States Department of Agriculture brought together representatives of agricultural groups and educators to discuss agricultural literacy in our schools. The current program grew out of this initial meeting with active programs in every state of the Union. Ag in the Classroom is endorsed by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the National Conference of State legislatures, and major agricultural organizations and commodity groups across the country. As our country’s demographics continue to change, the Ag in the Classroom program takes on more and more significance and importance.

Even before the Ag in the Classroom program was launched by the USDA, in Nevada there were efforts by individuals and commodity groups to educate school children about the sources of food they eat. The Nevada Dairy Wives were going into Northern Nevada schools with education materials geared toward good nutrition and healthy eating habits. In Elko a group of cattlewomen hosted school children for field days on different cattle ranches. In Washoe County a Farm-City day for Washoe County schools was held at Rancho San Rafael Park. A state Ag in the Classroom Task Force meets periodically to review and coordinate activities in the various counties. Currently the task force is planning to institute an Ag in the Classroom web site, www.nvaitc.org for purposes of providing information to state AITC committees and most especially, Nevada’s teachers. The web site is being designed to provide teaching and activity resources for our teachers including potential presenters, lesson plans, and links to other resources.

Presently the program in Nevada is carried out almost entirely by volunteers, each of whom is very dedicated to taking agriculture to the classroom. Persons wishing to participate in your local committee’s activities or to begin a program in your area should contact your county representative.

Funds to support Nevada Ag in the Classroom activities are all generated at the county level. Persons interested in supporting the program financially can make their contributions to their local committee or to the Nevada Heritage Foundation, a 501©3 organization that will direct the funds as you designate. Additional information can be obtained by contacting  your local committee or Nancy Rosasco, who serves as State Contact for Nevada.