Sophos : 2020 On the Farm Educational Events Announced

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, has announced an On The Farm STEM professional development event for educators in 2020. The event is designed for those who work in STEM and have a limited background in agriculture. Applications are now open at www.onthefarmstem.com.

'Those who want an immersive boots-on-the-ground experience in real-world STEM connections with hands-on learning that will help them take their educational efforts to the next level should apply to participate in the On The Farm STEM professional development event,' said Daniel Meloy, executive director of the Foundation. 'It's ideal for formal STEM educators, teachers of earth, life, and environmental science, instructional coaches at school districts and teacher educators, as well as non-formal educators.'

The On The Farm STEM professional development experience is designed to bring science to life for participants with the help of beef farmers and ranchers, researchers, nutritionists and veterinarians through first-rate tours and visits. This year's event will also include training on methodology and teaching strategies of NGSS curriculum designed with the Storylines process. A middle school ecology and high school genetics curriculum will be used in the training, both which will have been scored by Achieve for an NGSS Badge.

Selected participants will receive free registration, reimbursement of up to $650 for approved travel expenses, hotel accommodations for four nights and meals, in addition to educational supplies and resources. Continuing education units will be made available to attendees who complete the program.

2020 STEM Educator Event
Nashville, Tennessee
July 7-10

Applications Close: March 6, 2020
Applicants Notified: April 3, 2020

This event builds on the success of national On the Farm education events facilitated by the Foundation over the past four years.

'This was absolutely the best professional development education event I have ever attended. I went in with minimal knowledge and left with greater understanding, as well as new friends and teaching methods. If you have the opportunity, fill out the application and go!' said past participant, Sue Stinson.

Visit www.onthefarmstem.com to apply and for additional information to build awareness, understanding and a positive public perception of agriculture through education.

The Beef Checkoff Program funded development of the On the Farm training and supporting resources. The Beef Checkoff Program, www.beefboard.org/checkoff, was established as part of the 1985 farm bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. In states with qualified Beef Councils, states retain up to 50 cents of the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

Contact:
Mike Tomko
Director, Communications
[phone]
[e-mail]
Cole Staudt
Media Relations Specialist
[phone]
[e-mail]

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