State Programs
State Summary 2010 — Florida
State Contact
Ms. Lisa Gaskalla
Florida Agriculture in the Classroom
P.O. Box 110015
Gainesville, FL 32611-0015
P: 352.846.1391
F: 352.846.1390
E: gaskalla@ufl.edu
Website
Classroom Resources
TheGardening for Grades" school garden book developed by Florida Agriculture in the Classroom for teachers in kindergarten through eighth grade grew in size and scope with grant money the organization received in 2010 from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. New lessons on photosynthesis, soil science and fruit and vegetable classification were added to the book which is geared to general education teachers. These lessons were added to a garden section that had already been developed that guides teachers on what to plant and how to plant depending on the part of the state they're in. In addition, the book also explains how teachers can gain support from administrators, and find grant money to pay for the school garden. A graphic artist had completed the layout and design of the book in late 2010 and it was being proof read and sent to the printer in early 2011. In addition, Florida Agriculture in the Classroom developed a new Agriculture Literacy Day book in 2010 calledGreen Florida Farms" that educates students about the new technologies Florida farmers are using to reduce their water use and protect the soil, among other techniques.
Major Program Accomplishments or Outputs
Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. continued to update and add new materials to its educational offerings in 2010. It completed its 142-pageGardening for Grades" school garden resource book for teachers. The book went to the printer in early 2011 and 10Gardening for Grades" teacher workshops were being held around the state. We celebrated the seventh annual Florida Agriculture Literacy Day March 23, 2010 with a new book written for the event that focuses on Florida commodities calledGreen Florida Farms." About 1,300 farmmers, ranchers, industry representatives and FFA students read the book to more than 67,000 elementary students statewide. Agriculture Literacy Day has been an effective way for Florida Ag in the Classroom to add new volunteers to its program.
Major Program Impacts or Outcomes
Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. (FAITC) estimates it reached more than 6,200 teachers and more than 155,000 students in 2010. It reached an additional 8,557 teachers and 213,925 students with materials orders and hits to its website during 2010. The organization believes there is growing awareness and interest in the program by teachers and volunteers. FAITC began visiting curriculum coordinators in the state's largest school districts in 2010 to provide them with sample lessons and information about the grant programs, curricula and materials it offers general education teachers in pre-kindergartne through 12th grade. In addition, it developed and distributred new materials, allowing it to grow the number of new teachers it introduced to its program. Interest in programs such as Florida Agriculture Literacy Day continued to grow and helped boost FAITC numbers as well. In addition, popularity of its teacher and volunteer grants programs grew in 2010 with record numbers of teachers and volunteers applying for funding.
Biosketch
Experience September 2003: Present Executive Director; Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc.; Gainesville, FL August 2003 - July 1999: Executive Director; Polk County Farm Bureau; Bartow, FL July 1999 - March 1997: Public Affairs Manager; Florida Citrus Mutual; Lakeland, FL March 1997 - July 1992: Business Writer; The Tampa Tribune; Tampa, FL July 1992 - September 1989: Business Writer; The Ledger; Lakeland, FL September 1989 - July 1985: Business Writer; Orlando Business Journal; Orlando, FL July 1985 - June 1984: Cops, Medical Writer; Today newspaper; Cocoa, FL
Education Fall 1979 - Spring 1984: Bachelr's Degree - Journalism; University of Florida; Gainesville