At the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, we believe that investing in agricultural literacy creates lasting impact. Each time a student experiences agriculture firsthand, curiosity grows, understanding deepens, and connections form between what they learn in school and what they see in the real world.
Through Farm Camp Minnesota, these connections come to life, especially when community partners like the Minnesota Farm Bureau help link classrooms to hands-on agricultural learning.
A Complete Learning Experience with Farm Camp Minnesota
Farm Camp Minnesota is designed to make agricultural literacy accessible and engaging. Students in grades 5 through 12 participate in a three-step learning experience that brings classroom lessons to life:
- Classroom Lessons: Students begin with standards-based lessons that align with Minnesota curriculum and introduce key agricultural concepts.
- Farm and Agribusiness Visits: They then visit farms or agribusinesses to see agriculture in action and meet the people who make it possible.
- Career Exploration: Students finish by discovering how agriculture connects to a wide range of career opportunities.
Each step reinforces the value of investing in agricultural literacy, helping students see agriculture as part of their everyday lives and as a pathway to future success.
Cherry School: A Connection Sparked by the Farm Bureau
This spring, students at Cherry School in northern Minnesota experienced firsthand the impact of investing in agricultural literacy thanks to a connection made by Heather Lindula, a member of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee.
Heather saw an opportunity to connect her children’s health curriculum with agriculture. By reaching out to the Farm Camp Minnesota team, she helped create a partnership that led to a full Farm Camp experience. Students began with classroom lessons before visiting Takala Farms, the largest dairy in St. Louis County, and The Goat Shack, a small but thriving goat operation.
Through these visits, students gained a better understanding of how food, nutrition, and agriculture are interconnected, all through one local example of investing in agricultural literacy.
The Power of Partnerships
Partnerships with organizations like the Minnesota Farm Bureau show how local advocates create statewide impact. Their involvement helps:
- Identify opportunities to connect classroom learning with agriculture.
- Introduce schools and teachers to Farm Camp Minnesota.
- Expand awareness of how agricultural literacy supports career readiness and lifelong learning.
Each connection strengthens the reach and effectiveness of investing in agricultural literacy, ensuring that students across Minnesota benefit from hands-on, standards-aligned experiences.
The Investor’s Role: Turning Support into Opportunity
The success of Farm Camp Minnesota depends on the collective support of investors, sponsors, and community partners. Every contribution helps develop curriculum resources, coordinate farm visits, and provide educators with tools to bring agriculture into their classrooms.
When advocates like Minnesota Farm Bureau members help connect schools, they multiply the impact of every dollar invested. Together, these efforts make investing in agricultural literacy a powerful way to prepare the next generation of leaders and informed consumers.
Join the Movement
The Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation is proud to work alongside partners who share our vision for a future strengthened by investing in agricultural literacy. Every lesson, every farm visit, and every connection builds understanding and appreciation for agriculture in our communities.
To learn more about supporting or connecting with Farm Camp Minnesota, visit https://farmcampminnesota.org/CLASSROOM-CONNECTION/.
increase agriculture literacy in Minnesota.