State Programs
State Summary 2010 — North Dakota
State Contact
Ms. Gail Bakko
North Dakota Farm Bureau
P.O. Box 2064
Fargo, ND 58107
P: 701.298.2219
F: 701.298.2210
E: gails@ndfb.org
Website
Classroom Resources
AgMag - http://www.ndaginclassroom.org
Major Program Accomplishments or Outputs
The North Dakota Agriculture in the Classroom program had four major components again this year:
Project Food, Land & People (FLP) Teacher Workshops were held to educate 135 K-12 teachers on integrating agricultural information into their curriculum. Each participating teacher received a copy of the Resources for Learning, as prepared by the national FLP organization. In addition, teachers took tours and listened to guest speakers to learn more about agriculture (North Dakota s #1 industry) and how to make it relevant to their students. We had 9 summer workshops and one online course during spring semester. We have 4 versions of the program due to overwhelming requests from educators who want more. This was the 4th year that FLP training was offered via correspondence and/or online. Educators receive credit from North Dakota State University for each one. The educators affect ag literacy of approximately 2400 students an average of 5 times each year with a FLP lesson.
Three editions of the North Dakota Ag Mag (with Teacher Guides)were distributed to students in grades 3-4-5. The total distribution was 2100 issues for the year.
The North Dakota Geographic Alliance coordinated an agriculture tour for a total of 30 elementary and high school teachers to give them a firsthand glimpse into the agriculture industry.
A Mini-Grant Program funded 30 projects that promoted agricultural literacy over 5800 students and adults by using hands-on activities to develop and enrich understanding of agriculture as the source of food and fiber in our society.
Major Program Impacts or Outcomes
90% of teachers attending our summer workshops indicated they will use the curriculum at least 5 times reaching approximately 2400 students. 95% of those teachers have indicated they have an extremely high degree of satisfaction with the experience and will utilize the materials since it is matched to state standards.
21,000 times this school year students receive the ND AgMag publication.
Agriculture literacy increased for approximately 5500 students and community members due to the programs funded by the Mini-Grants made possible.
3,464 students have improved agriculture literacy due to the annual field trip programsLiving Ag Classroom" andSpecial Assignment Pizza".
Biosketch
Gail Bakko has been Director of Special Programs with North Dakota Farm Bureau for 15 years. Gail has worked with the ND Ag in the Classroom program and Food, Land and People program for 9 years.