State Programs
State Summary 2010 — Michigan
State Contact
Ms. Debra Schmucker
Michigan Farm Bureau
7373 W. Saginaw Hwy.
Lansing, MI 48909
P: 517.323.7000 ext. 3213
F: 517.323.6604
E: dschmuc@michfb.com
Website
Classroom Resources
The biggest project completed in 2010 was the Resource Guide for Teachers grades K-6. This guide is full of ready to use lesson plans divided into the following subject areas: Math, Science, Health, Language Arts and Social Studies. Each lesson is matched to state standards. All of these resources were combined on one compact disc. These disc are now being distributed across the state and will be used at teacher in-servicing. Other items updated theis year are small promotional pieces such as a children's activity sheet packet, Michigan agriculture trivia cards and updates of the Michigan Treasures placemat. In addition, we wrote a new third grade lesson entitled,Farmers Care about their land, animals, the environment and you." A book with the same title accompanies the lesson. This item can be located on our website at www.miagclassroom.org/teachers. Additional resources developed this year also include, agriculture career packet and display with an electronic jeopardy game; Myth Busters brochure and display targeted at consumers; Telling your Story talk point book to assist volunteers in communicating agricultures story to consumers.
Major Program Accomplishments or Outputs
Michigan Continues to expand training programs for teachers by training county Farm Bureau volunteers on how to teach agriculture in the classroom lessons as well as how to conduct teacher in-service training. The biggest successes have occurred by conducting workshops during already established in-service programs. The number of counties participating continues to grow each year. In addition, as a state, we participate in both the Michgan Science Teachers and Social Studies Teacher conferences conducting both a workshop on the above mentioned lessons and resources as well as a booth at the trade show. Over 3,000 teachers were reached through these activities. As a result, we are seeing and increase in the lessons being utilized from our website. Additionally, a few of our other accomplishments this year include: a steady increase in the number of downloads from our website. These downloads include both lesson plans and general agricultural information. The total number of downloads increased 19 percent in 2010. We continue to see and increase in volunteer interest in the program. Volunteers assisting with agricultural literacy projects increased 30 percent in the last year. Volunteers have increased their interest in conducting events at local fairs and festivals expanding the consumer outreach by 24 percent.
Major Program Impacts or Outcomes
- Agricultural Literacy activities conducted by volunteers, increased across the state by 30 percent in 2010. - The number of students reached through agriculture in the classroom increased by 40 percent in 2010. - 80 percent of our volunteers trained at the state level conduct AITC lessons at the local level. - Volunteer involvement in Michigan Agricultural Education programs rose by 25 percent in 2010. - The number of Project RED (Rural Education Day) events held across the state has increased by 35 percent to 31 counties thats 46 percent of all the involved counties across the state. -Teachers reached through in-service activities increased by 25 percent in 2010. -Of the teachers trained, 90 percent said they planned to continue to integrate agriculture into their existing curriculum.
Biosketch
Deb Schmucker has been manager of Michigan Farm Bureau's Promotion and Education Department and served as Michigans Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator since 1999 - 12 years.
Deb is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Masters of Science Degree in Agricultural and Extension Education, and a dual Bachelors degree in Agriscience Education and Agricultural Communications. Deb also holds a secondary teaching certificate.
Her responsibilities include recruiting and training state and county volunteers as well as Ag-in-the-Classroom involvement. She is the key link with the State Promotion and Education committee.
Deb and her husband, Brent operate their own farm where they raise sheep and cash crops.