Teaching with a Twist of Ag
Dozens of Alabama educators are heading into the new school year with fresh ideas thanks to Alabama Ag in the Classroom’s Summer Institute, held June 11–13 in Mobile. Around 70 teachers, Extension agents, and homeschool parents gathered for hands-on workshops, farm tours, and classroom-ready resources connecting agriculture to core subjects.
Participants visited working farms and nurseries, learned how to build gardens, explored pollinator projects, and picked up tools to bring ag literacy into a wide range of learning environments. Each attendee went home with over $500 in educational materials, and 20 received either a hydroponic garden or an incubator to jumpstart classroom projects.
Shakiyla Morrissette, a homeschooling mom from Monroe County, said she now feels confident teaching school standards like math through her family’s farming experiences. Organizers say that’s the goal — helping educators discover how food and farming can enrich everyday learning.
The event was supported by the Alabama Farmers Federation and state legislators. Applications for next summer’s institute close April 15, and details are available at AlabamaAITC.org.
