AITC News

(Headingley, MB)  Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), along with its collective of 10 provincial members, is inspiring students to explore careers in agriculture and food this November for Canada Career Month, a national campaign initiated by the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF). By putting agri-food careers into the spotlight through its thinkAG initiative, AITC-C hopes to get Canadian teens curious about the diversity of careers available in the sector and help close the labour shortage gap.

This year’s Career Month celebrations include the launch of AITC-C’s new Kareero app, the release of an online instructional support guide for teachers for the career exploration game Career Case, and a 30-Day thinkAG Challenge for teachers and students.

AITC-C is also launching a new campaign during Canada Career Month called ‘I Am Agriculture’. Encouraging those in the agriculture and food industry to share the important role they play in this vital sector with #IAmAgriculture. Young people deserve to know that whatever their passions or interests are, agriculture will welcome them and has workplaces they can thrive in.

Read more here.

(Headingly, MB) Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) elected four new Board Executive Officers during its 8^th Annual General Meeting. AITC-C represents ten provincial members dedicated to delivering agriculture education to students and teachers across the nation. These organizations also appoint a representative to sit on AITC-C’s Board of Directors.

The new Executive includes Mathieu Rouleau of École-O-Champ as Vice Chair, Charlotte Flores of Agriculture in the Classroom New Brunswick as Secretary, and Luree Williamson of Agriculture for Life as Treasurer. Rebecca Sooksom of Agriculture in the Classroom Nova Scotia takes on the role of Chair, with Pat Tonn of BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation stepping aside after two successful years in the position.

Sooksom brings valuable experience to the role of AITC-C Chair as a champion for agriculture education. She has been working for the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture for the past 13 years, and has served as the Manager of Regional Programming overseeing Agriculture in the Classroom Nova Scotia since 2018. She will bring that same passion and leadership nationally.

Read the full release here.

(Headingly, MB) - Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), a Canadian charitable organization with a vision to bring agriculture to every classroom, has launched an expanded version of its innovative resource library for educators.

Now with over 500 curriculum-connected resources available, the online platform is easy to navigate and access.

“We are incredibly proud of the growth we’ve witnessed over the last couple of months for the resource library,” said AITC-C Executive Director Johanne Ross. “New learning materials are being added every week and we’ve received very positive feedback from educators across the country, which means we’re growing in the right direction!”

Learn more!

(Headingly, MB) - Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), a Canadian charitable organization with a vision to bring agriculture to every classroom, and Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), the voice of Canadian dairy farmers, are proud to announce the winners of the inaugural DFC Here for Tomorrow Scholarship, powered by thinkAG.

This year’s scholarships are being awarded to:

Julie Sieg and Sophia Yang

Read more

Winnipeg – June 15, 2022 – Six talented young Canadians are beginning their post-secondary education with a boost from the G3 Grow Beyond Scholarship.

They were among a strong field of candidates who applied for the scholarship by submitting a video essay describing their vision for the future of agriculture. Each winner receives $4,000, and their high schools are awarded $1,000 each. This is the third year G3 has presented the Grow Beyond Scholarship, in partnership with Agriculture in the Classroom Canada.

All the candidates’ videos were posted online, and public voting formed part of the overall score in the selection process. There were nearly 10,000 votes cast!

Learn more here.

Headingley, MB - March 1, 2022 – Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month is back this March, bringing agriculture and food learning experiences to students across Canada. The celebrated flagship event from Agriculture in the Classroom Canada and its 10 provincial members offers hands-on activities and programs for students that help them learn about, understand, and appreciate Canada’s agriculture and food story.

Keeping with the theme ‘Our Food, Our Story’, AITC-C is excited to premiere The Great Canadian Farm Tour, a month-long, virtual field trip for educators and students to connect with real farmers across Canada and learn about the diversity of commodities they produce. This eleven-stop tour features a range of farms – from dairy to aquaculture to maple syrup – and is integrated with interactive learning opportunities and in-classroom, curriculum-linked resources.

“Over the last 11 years, CALM has become a staple learning experience in classrooms across Canada and continues to encourage curiosity, connection and a life-long learning about agriculture and food,” says Johanne Ross, Executive Director of AITC-C. “Collectively, AITC-C and all ten of our provincial members work to provide interesting and engaging experiences to foster inspiration and motivation for students to discover their role in the agri-food system.”

Learn more here.

Headingly, MB - February 22, 2022 – Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) and Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) are celebrating Canada’s Agriculture Day with the announcement of an exciting joint effort: the DFC Here for Tomorrow Scholarship, powered by thinkAG.  

Open to students in grades 10-12 across Canada, this scholarship aims to invigorate and equip the next generation with the understanding and belief that they have the power to make informed, sustainable food choices and career decisions.  

Fueled by AITC-C’s career exploration initiative, thinkAG - the scholarship directly connects students with the multitude of important roles and professions that exist within the agriculture and food sector, helping them recognize how their interests and skills can be utilized in this evolving industry.  

Learn more here.

Do you have students that are tech-savvy and creative thinkers? The Career Case: Explore Digital Agriculture Extension will spark students’ interest in the compelling world of digital agriculture. Students will learn about the various tools and technologies used in agriculture and food production, explore the relationship between technology in agriculture and everyday use, and increase their awareness of careers within this multi-faceted, ever-evolving area of the sector. This resource has been designed for students in Grades 7-9 (Grade 10-12 resource coming March 2023!) and is your opportunity to help young people see all that the future of work in digital agriculture can offer.

To read more click here.

 The G3 Grow Beyond Scholarship is back and open for applications from bright young Canadian students with a vision for the future of agriculture.

In partnership with Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), G3 launched the scholarship in 2020 and awarded it again last year. The 2022 edition will again include 6 scholarships of $4,000 each for post-secondary studies in any discipline, plus $1,000 for each of the winners’ high schools to further encourage innovation.

Applicants are required to submit a 2-to-4-minute video essay describing their idea for innovation in agriculture and how their studies will help achieve it. All the applicants’ videos will be posted on the scholarship website g3growbeyond.org where visitors can cast a vote for their favourite. Winners will be chosen based partially on votes received, and the decisions of a panel of judges. Last year’s winners were announced during a live Facebook event.

"We are excited to be heading into the third year of the G3 Grow Beyond Scholarship program. It is so important for youth to get curious about agriculture and food, and to share their bright ideas for the future of technology and innovation in Canada.," said Melissa Galay, Education Specialist for AITC-C. "We are grateful for the support from G3 to be able to offer these scholarships as financial support for six students heading to their first year of post-secondary education in the fall of 2022."

The scholarship is available across Canada, except Québec. For full details on the G3 Grow Beyond Scholarship, and to apply, visit g3growbeyond.org.

On Sunday November 21st, AITC-C leader Johanne Ross was officially inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. Our organization was extremely honoured to be able to celebrate Johanne and all of her various accomplishments over the years with her family and friends.  

After graduating from University of Manitoba with a degree in Agriculture and spending several years in the agri-food sector, Johanne joined Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba as Executive Director in 2000. She grew AITC-M from a “one-women show” to a thriving organization. In 2015, she shifted to a national focus leading the development of AITC Canada as a cross-country effort to bring ag education into every classroom, inspiring every student. 

Johanne is a proud community booster where she and her family live on their farm near Minnedosa, Manitoba. She has served on countless boards and committees, and is a driving force who has inspired hundreds of partnerships and collaborations for AITC and beyond. 

All of this, combined with her genuine passion and enthusiasm for sharing Canada’s agriculture and food story, have made her a champion for agriculture education for more than 20 years. This induction into the CAHF celebrates the lasting legacy of not only her leadership, but the importance of agriculture education to all Canadians.