Headingley, MB - Most people eat multiple times every single day. Each bite is connected to agriculture, whether they realize it or not.

This March will mark the 12^th year of Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM). The Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) National Collective is passionate about offering hands-on activities and programs for students so they can realize, understand, and  engage with their own connections to agriculture.

“For more than a decade, Canadian Agricultural Literacy Month has given us an opportunity to celebrate our connections - as Canadians - to agriculture,” said Rebecca Sooksom, chair, AITC-C. “Linking students with food producers helps keep that connection strong so the next generation of Canadians knows not only where their food comes from, but also the importance of the sector to our communities from coast to coast.” 

Each AITC member organization offers its own learning opportunities to students in their respective province, including reading challenges, contests, videos, classroom presentations, and ag resource kits. Some of these include: seed kits, launching new resources, and in class visits from agriculture industry professionals.

“Canada’s Agriculture Literacy Month is an excellent opportunity to show young people where our food comes from, as well as the essential and fascinating work of those who produce it. Thanks to partners like Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, we can provide teachers with tools, programs and teaching materials to help entice the next generation to choose one of many career options available within the agriculture and agri-food sector,” said Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. 

Although AITC offers resources and programs year-round, it takes extra pride during the month of CALM, as hundreds of ag-proud volunteers sign up to give of their time to meet with students from coast to coast. In 2022, CALM provided more than 137,000 student experiences with agriculture and food in all ten Canadian provinces. Together with its supporting partners Cargill and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AITC will expand its reach and get closer to its vision of having agriculture in every classroom, inspiring every student.

“We are honoured to continue our support for CALM and its mission of educating communities on how their food is produced, connecting farmers to the families they feed,” said Jeff Vassart, President, Cargill Canada. “This work is vital in introducing a whole new generation to the vast world of agriculture and the many roles that Canadians play in feeding the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.”

For more information about CALM , please visit aitc-canada.ca/calm. Follow along on social media:  #CALM23   #OurFoodOurStory 

(Headingley, MB) With a successful inaugural scholarship launch under their belts, Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) and Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) are thrilled to offer the DFC Here for Tomorrow Scholarship, powered by thinkAG, again in 2023. 

In its pilot year, the scholarship received 42 applications from coast to coast, and had multiple teachers participate in the classroom project. Drawing on the excellent submissions from year one, DFC and AITC-C have increased the number of award recipients from two to five, and raised winnings from $2,500 to $3,000 per student. By expanding the scholarship offering, DFC and AITC-C hope to support more students as they continue their education journeys. 

Open to Canadian students in Grades 10-12 (Secondary 4-5 in Quebec), 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.

Read more here.

(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.