Students in Oxford County will have more access to agri-food information this year, thanks to a new partnership between the local Junior Farmers group and AgScape’s Teacher AmbassadorTM program. Oxford County Junior Farmers presented AgScape with a generous donation today, to support the fact-based agriculture and food information delivered by Ontario Certified Teachers to high school students.
“Oxford County is an agricultural community, but many students are unaware of the strong links we have to our farming roots,” says Drew De Bruyn, Oxford County Junior Farmers. “Our group wants to help provide sound information about agricultural practices and the food system to students in Oxford County.”
The donation – raised by local Junior Farmers members – will give local teachers access to a Teacher Ambassador to deliver free, in-class lessons on agriculture and food. Teacher Ambassadors are Ontario Certified Teachers who have received ag literacy training through AgScape, and provide engaging, fact-based lessons that align with the Ontario curriculum for Grades 7 to 12. Teacher Ambassadors are qualified to provide lessons on topics from food security and safety to local food, environmental initiatives and livestock production – and work with teachers to customize the lesson for each classroom.
“Our Teacher Ambassador program is one of the most important services we provide to the next generation of consumers, and this support from Oxford County Junior Farmers will help us make a tremendous difference this year,” says AgScape Executive Director Colleen Smith. “We know it takes a coordinated, integrated approach to tell the great stories about the innovation and passion and importance of our agri-food industry, and it’s really heartening to have Junior Farmers support this program.”
The Oxford County Junior Farmers donation will be used to deliver lessons with Teacher Ambassador in Oxford County during the 2017-2018 school year. And the club will also help promote the program throughout the county.
Source: AGscape