Major projects accomplished this year

• 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 Michigan Science Teachers and Social Study 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 an 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 15% in 2005. A new fourth grade lesson centering on the importance of agriculture in Michigan and a Michigan commodities map were introduced in the past year. One-hundred volunteers received training with over 500 students receiving training thus far. Further, we help a Project T.E.A.M. Conference (Together Everyone Achieves More) where 100 volunteers representing 45 counties from across the state learned more about AITC and the resources available to conduct local activities.

Major impacts the program had this year

• Agricultural literacy activities conducted by volunteers increased across the state by 20% in 2005.
• 70% of our volunteers trained at the state level conduct AITC lessons at the local level.
• Volunteer involvement in Michigan Agricultural Education programs rose by 20% in 2005.