11/03/06 Ag in the classroom

The goal of Ag in the Classroom is to educate American children about their food, fiber and even some of their fuel. American Farm Bureau's Betty Wolanyk says the average American today is three generations removed from the farm and no longer understands the basics of agriculture production. WOLANYK "So what Ag in the Classroom is doing is laying that foundation so that as voting citizens, as consumers, as people who might serve on a planning committee or a zoning board, they understand that it is really important for us to have a safe, sound, domestic food supply produced by American farmers." Teachers and students alike have benefited from the interactive lessons that Ag in the Classroom has provided for the past 24 years. WOLANYK "This is a fabulous way to connect science and social studies, and language arts and math in ways that are really interesting for students." It's a hit with Idaho teachers, to be sure. This past summer more than 200 Idaho teachers signed up for six Ag in the Classroom workshops Pocatello, Nampa, Twin Falls, Sandpoint, Meridian and Payette. At Nampa there was more demand than space and some teachers had to be turned away. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott