Category: Ag in the Classroom

Sprouting Change: Cultivating Environmental Champions

JOIN US FOR AN AFTER SCHOOL WORKSHOP CONNECTING AGRICULTURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Illinois’ new environmental education mandate creates an opportunity for teachers to bring important agricultural and environmental topics to life. Agriculture provides a natural, hands-on connection to the environment. Through agriculture, students can explore how we use, protect, and conserve the resources around us.

Join us on MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 from 4:30-6:30 P.M. at the McLean County Farm Bureau (2242 Westgate Dr., Bloomington) for a hands-on workshop. Every teacher will walk away with a box of materials, lessons, and ideas to use in their classroom, as well as two hours of professional development credit.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Try This Lesson: Fifth Grade

Fifth grade teachers:

Students will be able to observe the water cycle and how different types of seeds germinate and grow with this terrarium activity.

Terrariums

Request “Terrariums” lesson here!

Sign Up Now: Summer Ag Institute 2026

McLean County Summer Ag Institute: June 1, 2 and 4

Sign up for this year’s Summer Ag Institute by May 15! Earn up to 22 hours of professional development with the option of one hour of graduate credit through Lindenwood University. Choose to attend one, two, or all three days of our workshop (Tuesday, June 2 is required). Scheduled tours include the new Farm to Healthy Me exhibit at the Children’s Discovery Museum, Braffet Berry Farm, Farm to Wick Candles, Crider Farms, Two Sisters Lavender, and more. We’ll also have a presentation by Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom, an agriculture drone demonstration with Birkey’s and we’ll hear from various commodity organizations.  Learn more here!

Try This Lesson: Fourth Grade

Fourth grade teachers:

Teach about monocots and dicots using corn and soybeans. In this lesson, vermiculite is used to hold the moisture for the seed to germinate. Vermiculite is a mineral sometimes used as a part of soil mixes or soil-less media.

Monocots and Dicots lesson

Request “Monocots and Dicots” lesson here!

Try This Lesson: Third Grade

Third Grade teachers:

Illinois is known for famous figures like Abraham Lincoln, and many of them have ties to agriculture. In this lesson, students will investigate Illinois agriculture and famous people with agricultural connections. *If you like this lesson, a more comprehensive lesson including agricultural businesses, sites to see, and other agricultural tidbits is also available from McLean County Ag in the Classroom.

“Investigate Illinois: People” Lesson

Request “Investigate Illinois: People” lesson here!

1 2 3 … 23