Indiana Farm Bureau Launches Virtual Agriculture in the Classroom Program

Volunteers may also send classroom activity kits containing seeds, books, worksheets, or activities that correspond with the virtual lessons.

File Photo

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB), the state’s largest general farm organization, will be launching a new Agriculture in the Classroom program this fall.

“Adopt a Classroom,” is a volunteer-driven program that allows INFB to continue educating Indiana’s schoolchildren about agriculture despite adjustments to school programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a typical year, volunteers visit classrooms to provide short lessons about agriculture, this fall volunteers will interact with students virtually or through live or recorded video lessons, letters, and photos.

Volunteers may also send classroom activity kits containing seeds, books, worksheets, or activities that correspond with the virtual lessons.

“We have a wide network of volunteers across the state who love teaching children about farming and where their food comes from,” said Lindi Kocher, INFB education coordinator. “We’re thrilled to be able to continue that important education virtually.”

Agriculture in the Classroom volunteers will be able to choose to adopt classrooms within their home counties, but the virtual nature of this program also makes it easier for volunteers to connect with classrooms across the state.

“The ability to connect virtually means that students in southern Indiana could visit a dairy farm in northern Indiana without ever leaving the classroom,” said Kocher.

For more information about the Agriculture in the Classroom Adopt a Classroom program, or to sign up to become a volunteer or enroll a classroom, visit www.infb.org/INFBAgEd/adoptaclassroom. For more information on Agriculture in the Classroom, visit www.infb.org/INFBAgEd.

“We hope the Adopt a Classroom program gives teachers another option for providing their students with a diverse education – whether those students are working from home or the classroom this fall,” Kocher added.