Community Members

Agricultural literacy takes many forms. In addition to students and teachers, many consumers are impacted by AITC efforts at the county level. Showcasing basic agriculture to adults leads to greater student understanding, as well as continued local support. $2,236,587 in local funds were raised to support local efforts. 167,268 County programs use a variety of public relations devices including local print, radio and an community increasing amount of social media to further spread the message of agriculture to teachers, members parents and students. across Illinois engaged in learning through ag literacy efforts 11,212 local donors supported county AITC efforts

Agricultural Literacy & Environmental Stewardship In a special IAITC/IAAF granting program, 31 county agricultural literacy programs were awarded $19,702 in Environmental Stewardship grants. In an effort to further agricultural literacy efforts about NLRS and Pollinators, these county programs reached 990 educators, 19,142 students and 3,991 community members with the positive message of agriculture and the environment. $19,702 awarded to 31 county Agricultural Literacy Programs in Environmental Stewardship grants

The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program provides accurate, standards based classroom materials and resources related to agriculture to teachers across the state. Using our network of County Agriculture Literacy Coordinators, Illinois AITC continues to be the powerhouse of agriculture literacy programming. Partners supporting these efforts include: local county Farm Bureaus, UIUC Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, as well as Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers, Illinois Soybean Association, and Midwest Dairy Association. Financial support for IAITC is provided by industry partners and individuals who generously contribute through the IAA Foundation and its efforts. To learn more visit www.iaafoundation.org. Teacher training is at the heart of our agricultural literacy efforts. 40,639 teachers received training and materials as part of a comprehensive agriculture literacy effort. County programs provided 1,430 hours of Professional Development programs, and 482 teachers participated in our Summer Agricultural Institutes. 1,144 preservice teachers at 13 colleges and universities received AITC training to take with them into their classrooms. An additional $25,314 was awarded in classroom grants and book grants. 40,639 3,741 teachers authentic agriculture utilized free classroom books resources and trainings awarded to teachers

661,797 students received direct instruction with the assistance of our county AITC programs. Classroom presentations, farm field trips and agriculture expos add agriculture to existing curricular standards. New projects include work with ILLINOIS READS, and new Ag Mags include, Corn, Pollinators, Pumpkins, Wheat, Pork and Seasons (Specialty Crops). Partnerships with Great Apple Crunch Day also enhance IAITC efforts. 661,797 elementary students grew in knowledge about food & farms through classroom lessons

Since the beginning of the Agriculture in the Classroom program, volunteers have been at the forefront of our efforts. Last year, 5,410 volunteers contributed passion, time, talent and treasures to the program. From hosting teacher tours at farms to serving on farmer panels to collating materials for classroom use, an ever expanding army of volunteers, working to showcase Illinois’ #1 industry, keep the process moving.

$652,987 worth of volunteer 5,410 hours community volunteers support local agriculture education programs