Elementary Agricultural Education Programs
In accordance with the Texas Education Code, §29.926, Agriculture Education Program, the Texas Education Agency has compiled a list of elementary agricultural education programs which encourage appreciation and improve students’ understanding of agriculture. Programs and resources listed are available at no cost to schools and educators.
Programs | Description | Sponsor(s) | Grade Level(s) | Topics | Links |
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Agriculture in the Classroom: Texas |
This web resource features an Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix with over 200 lesson plans for K-5 educators and students. Educators can search by grade levels K-2 or 3-5 and by topic to find more specific lesson plans. Each lesson identifies connections to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English language arts and reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. Each lesson also lists agricultural literary connections and extra resources to support learning and lesson planning. Most lessons include presentation slides, videos, activities, downloadable activity pages, and resources for the lesson plans. To support Agriculture in the Classroom, Texas Farm Bureau sponsors the Farm From School program in which teachers preregister their classes to participate in a four-part live, online series. Teachers receive a packet of activity guides and children’s books that correspond with each month’s online visit with a farmer or rancher. |
Texas Farm Bureau |
K-2
3-5 |
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Corn in the Classroom |
This topic-specific curriculum for corn is organized by grade level with a different focus area for each grade. The Corn in the Classroom curriculum is aligned to the science TEKS. The sponsoring organization provides materials and free training to educators. The resources are free to download after registering. |
Texas Corn Producers |
K-5 |
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Farm a Month: Where Does Our Food Come From? |
This 32-page, downloadable educator guide features monthly activities and topics for younger elementary students. Each month students explore an agricultural commodity and how it is grown. Students are then introduced to a farmer who produces that type of food. Background information on each agricultural commodity is provided for the educator. There are also supplemental ideas and resources listed to assist in educator planning. |
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture |
PK-3 |
Each month features a different agricultural commodity such as
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Get the Dirt on SOIL Reader |
This 18-page downloadable resource contains articles and activities to support students as they explore plant and soil science. They also learn about agriculture engineering. This program contains a teacher guide to support delivery of content. |
Nutrients for Life Foundation |
5-6 |
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My American Farm |
My American Farm provides lesson plans on a variety of agriculture topics. The lesson plans are supported through free, downloadable apps from an iOS or Android app store as well as general access through a computer. Agriculture lessons reinforce academic concepts from English language arts, science, engineering, geography, health, social studies, and mathematics. Lessons provide grade-level activities based on a variety of agricultural literacy themes. My American Farm includes a facilitator's guide and presentation slides to assist with hosting teacher training workshops. |
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture |
PK-5 |
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My Little Ag Me |
This resource is a free downloadable five-book children’s series collection. Content found in the series is designed to introduce students to various agriculture careers and professionals. Titles include The Vibrant Variety, The Cow Conundrum, A Berry Good Project, The Artistic Arrangement, and The Prized Pumpkin. |
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture |
PK-5 |
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National Agriculture in the Classroom |
This web resource features an Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix with over 200 lesson plans for K-5 educators and students. Educators can search by grade levels K-2 or 3-5 and by topic. Many of the resources from the national organization are also available through the Texas Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom website. |
National Center for Agricultural Literacy at Utah State University National Institute of Food and Agriculture U. S. Department of Agriculture National Agriculture in the Classroom |
K-2
3-5 |
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Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century |
This program features five free, downloadable lessons that teach plant and soil science through student-centered gardening applications. Downloadable resources include lesson plans, classroom presentation slides, pre- and post- assessments, and flashcards. |
Nutrients for Life Foundation |
3-4 |
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Ranch Life Learning |
Ranch Life Learning contains five main lessons about ranch life that are centered around the Hank the Cow Dog children's novel series. |
National Ranching Heritage Center |
3-5 |
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Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association - Education |
This curriculum contains three lessons for elementary students and educators. The curriculum focuses on sheep and goats in Texas and how they impact Texas citizens. The curriculum provides alignment to the TEKS. |
Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association |
2-5 |
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Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
Phone: (512) 463-9581
Email: curriculum@tea.texas.gov