First Grade teachers:
Our “Pumpkin Life Cycle” lesson and bead bracelet activity will take your students on a journey beginning with the pumpkin seed through flowering and pollination and ending with a bright orange pumpkin! McLean County Ag in the Classroom will provide our Pumpkin Facts for Little Readers and all the materials your students need to complete the activity.
Kindergarten teachers:
Our “From Farm to Table” lesson and activity will take your students on a journey from putting a corn kernel into the ground to finding corn ingredients in their breakfast cereal! McLean County Ag in the Classroom will provide our Corn Facts for Little Readers and all the materials your students need to complete the activity.
Looking to add some hands-on learning to your classroom? Check out the Ag Science Grants from McLean County Farm Bureau Foundation!
Apply for funding to purchase one of the suggested learning kits or create your own project related to the science of food and farming.
*NEW – Grant funds will be awarded to the school directly to provide funds for purchase, instead of the grant providing reimbursement after the purchase.
Please note: FFA Chapters/ag classes are not eligible for an Ag Science Grant, but can apply for the FFA Matching Grant or FFA Capital Grant
Find details & the online application at www.mcfb.org/grants
Application deadline is October 31, 2025.
Check out our featured Fall Ag in a Bag Activity kits!
And many more to explore! Click here to see them all!
Explore STEAM and learn more about incorporating it into your classroom. Earn professional credit hours and collaborate with professionals from University of Illinois Extension, Ag in the Classroom and other teaching professionals.
Weather and Climate | October 23, 2018
Learn more about incorporating STEAM
when studying weather and climate. Explore some of the kits and resources
available to support your lessons or activities.
Experiential Learning Model | November 27, 2018
Explore 4-H curriculum, workshops and long-term programs that are all based on the Experiential Learning Model. This model can be implemented to increased youth engagement when including STEAM in lessons or activities.
Soil and Plants | January 22, 2019 – CANCELLED
Soil, seed germination, plant growth, soil conservation — all of these topics and more will be covered in this workshop. Explore the kits and resources available to support plant and soil activities or lessons.
Plant and Animal Life Cycles | February 26, 2019
Compare, contrast and explore inter-dependency between plant and animal life cycles. This workshop will support lessons and activities done during Chick it Out in April.
Junk Drawer and Maker Space | March 19, 2019,
Engineering and creativity combine during this workshop. Learn more about how to engage youth to utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills through challenges. Explore the resources available to support you.
