November 1, 2024 (Winnipeg, MB) - November marks Canada Career Month, and Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), in collaboration with its ten provincial partners, is excited to celebrate by offering innovative career programs that connect youth to the diverse opportunities within the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Agriculture is much more than farming; it is a dynamic and multifaceted industry encompassing roles in technology, environmental science, business, engineering, food production and more. Through these programs, we aim to build career literacy and open doors to future careers for young Canadians, helping them understand the vast potential within the agriculture sector.

According to recent statistics from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC):

• Approximately 2.5 million Canadians work in agriculture and agri-food.
• The agriculture sector contributes over $130 billion to Canada's GDP, making it one of the largest industries in the country.
• By 2029, it is projected that there will be a need for over 60,000 new workers in the agriculture and agri-food sectors due to retirements and industry growth.

"Our programs are designed to showcase the vast array of career opportunities within agriculture and agri-food," said Luree Williamson, Acting Executive Director, AITC-C. "By engaging youth and providing them with the knowledge and skills they need, we can inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders and innovators."

“Our collaborative career programs aim to equip students with vital skills and insights, helping them navigate potential pathways in agriculture. Through interactive workshops, resources and hands-on experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of the roles that agriculture plays in everyday life and the career possibilities it offers.”

This Canada Career Month, we invite educators, students and parents to explore the myriad of career options available within the agriculture and agri-food sector. Together, we can foster a generation that not only understands but thrives in an industry that is essential to our economy and future sustainability.

For more information about Agriculture in the Classroom career programs and how to get involved, please visit www.thinkag.ca.

September 12, 2024 (Winnipeg, MB) - The Great Canadian Farm Tour is back for its fourth season and, for the first time, it’s taking place in the fall to showcase an entirely different season in Canadian agriculture. From October through December, Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) and its 10 provincial members invite students across the country to get a taste of harvest and experience fall operations in Canadian agriculture and food.

Season 4 kicks off on October 4 at a sea buckthorn farm in New Brunswick and includes tour stops at a pumpkin farm in Newfoundland and Labrador, a cranberry farm in British Columbia, and the most northern greenhouse apple orchard in the Northwest Territories. 

“By holding the tour in the fall, we are looking forward to showcasing a different flavour of agriculture,” says Luree Williamson, Acting Executive Director at AITC-C. “It’s a time of harvest, preparation for the festive seasons, and a shift in the rhythms of farm life. This season offers new learning opportunities for students to discover the seasonality of food production in Canada.”  

While all grade levels are invited to participate, the tours are targeted at students in kindergarten to Grade 6. All tours will be available in both English and French, with simultaneous translation and closed captioning for accessibility. Teachers will also receive curriculum-connected digital activity books to accompany each tour and keep students engaged. 

“As we kick off another school year, we’re excited to add the Great Canadian Farm Tour to our fall programming lineup,” says Williamson. “It’s going to be another busy year as our provincial members are preparing programs and resources to get agriculture and food education into classrooms, participate in fairs and host events across Canada.”

Many programs are already underway for our provincial members. AITC-PEI is distributing their Egg to Chick kits to classrooms across the island and AITC-SK is hosting Fall Food Farms for Grade 3 and 4 students throughout September and October. AITC-Manitoba is preparing for its popular Amazing Agriculture Adventure, taking place September 24 to 27. This year, the program has expanded to include students in Grades 3-6 and a special day just for high schools. 

The Great Canadian Farm Tour is made possible thanks to the generous support of FCC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, who are both presenting partners and valued supporters of AITC-C. 

Read the full release.

August 7, 2024 (Winnipeg, MB) – Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) and its 10 member organizations create more than two million student experiences each year through the national collective’s programs and resources. With a goal to reach more students across the country, AITC-C is evolving its governance structure to strengthen its board for the future.

“Collectively, our board has decided to create a new governance structure for AITC-C to better serve our organization,” says Rebecca Sooksom, board chair of AITC-C. “We will be seeking board members who bring diverse experience and different skills to the table, which may include individuals from the agriculture and education sectors and those with specific areas of expertise, such as accounting or human resources, to ensure a well-rounded board of directors.”

AITC-C's new board will be independent and skills-based with a chair and eight directors. Individuals will be selected and invited to join the new AITC-C board of directors this fall, with a goal to have a new board of directors by the end of 2024.

AITC-C’s current board is comprised of one representative from each its member organizations: BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, Ag for Life in Alberta, Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan, Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba, Ontario’s AgScape, École-O-Champ in Quebec, Agriculture in the Classroom PEI, Agriculture in the Classroom New Brunswick, Nova Scotia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program and Agriculture in the Classroom NL.

Current board members will continue to serve until a new board is in place. A steering committee composed of the provincial Executive Directors will also be formed to ensure seamless coordination amongst the AITC Collective. AITC-C has appointed interim executive director, Luree Williamson, an AITC-C board member and executive director of Alberta’s Ag for Life, to manage the organization through this transition.

Read the full release here.

May 22, 2024 (Winnipeg, MB) – Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) and Farm & Food Care (FFC) are pleased to release the next edition of The Real Dirt on Farming in the Classroom e-learning resource. This innovative partnership aims to provide Grade 7-12 students across Canada with the opportunity to explore key topics related to the agriculture and food industry.

Designed as a comprehensive educational tool, The Real Dirt on Farming in the Classroom offers students the chance to engage with a wide range of topics, including the diverse individuals working in the agriculture and food industry, sustainable farming practices, the impact of climate change on agriculture, innovations in the field, animal welfare and much more. 

Through multimedia content, interactive modules and case studies, students will have the chance to delve into the complexities of modern agriculture while gaining valuable insights into the importance of sustainable food production. 

“Our partnership with Farm & Food Care has allowed us to create a dynamic educational resource to inspire and educate the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Mathieu Rouleau, Executive Director of AITC-C. “By providing students with access to accurate and engaging information about agriculture and food production, we can empower them to make informed food choices.” 

“We’re so pleased to be able to work with AITC-C on this project. We’re often asked by educators about how they can use our publication in their classrooms, but that’s not Farm & Food Care’s expertise. Using AITC-C’s national network ensures that this award-winning resource reaches a much broader audience,” said Kelly Daynard, Executive Director of Farm & Food Care Ontario.

First developed in 2021, this resource accompanied the fifth edition of The Real Dirt on Farming (RDOF) magazine. With the help of AITC-C’s provincial member organizations, this new e-learning resource will be available digitally along with the digital sixth edition of the RDOF magazine to classrooms across Canada.

May 16, 2024 (Winnipeg, MB) – Adventurous Grades 6 to 8 classes across Canada embarked on an exciting sustainability journey this spring as the first explorers in Agriculture in the Classroom Canada’s (AITC-C) new Mission Explorium competition. 

Mission Explorium, which launched on February 19 and wrapped up in late April, challenged students from coast to coast to build a sustainable community after landing on a deserted island. Four weeks of cross-curricular activities engaged classes to work together to complete a quest each week that included work in science, math, language arts, visual arts and careers. Provincial winners took on one further challenge in the quest to become the national champion. 

Congratulations to Jaime Finlay’s Grade 8 class at Wawota Parkland School in Wawota, Saskatchewan for winning the inaugural Mission Explorium competition. 

 A panel of agriculture industry judges awarded top honours and a $750 cash prize to the Voyagers of the SS Finlay in a very tight competition. The judges were impressed by the Voyagers of the SS Finlay’s creativity, depth of development of their island in areas such as sustainability, culture and food, and their innovative storyline.  

“At Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, we are always looking for new ways to cultivate curiosity about agriculture,” says Mathieu Rouleau, Executive Director of AITC-C. “Mission Explorium is a fun and interactive way to engage students across Canada to work together and learn about where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture in any society.”

 A total of 215 classes from BC to the Maritimes and Northern Canada participated in the inaugural Mission Explorium competition. The feedback from the teachers and students who participated in the first edition of the program will be used to refine and enhance the competition for the next round, which is expected to launch in early 2025. Funding for the development of Mission Explorium was generously provided by contributions from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.