Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom

10/31/2026

October is Farm to Kids Month! 🍎Check out our new blog post “Farm to Kids Month 2026” to read about all the amazing ways we helped to connect kids with local foods this month!

🔗Read the blog post here: https://mnagmag.org/farm-to-kids-month-2026/

🧑‍🌾The theme for 2026 was “Thank You, Farmers!” Education sites partnered with local farmers, inviting them to lunch, writing them thank you cards, and letting them know how much they mean to their community!

10/30/2026

Meet Kari Carlson, our featured teacher for October 2026! 🌱Mrs. Carlson is a 1st grade teacher at Sebeka Elementary in Sebeka, MN who connects students with local agriculture to learn where their food comes from. As a teacher, she wants to influence student’s futures in the classroom and beyond. ✏️

Check out one of Kari Carlson’s recommended lesson plans, “Farm Machines and Safety.” 🚜In this lesson, students will identify machines used on farms and determine how to stay safe on a farm.

Find the lesson plan on our website: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/lessons/949/

10/29/2026

Tomorrow is the last day to apply to be a part of the new MAITC Kindergarten Teacher Cohort! 🌱

📖This cohort is designed to be a place where kindergarten teachers can connect with other teachers who are interested in using agriculture for student learning, share what is working in their classrooms, and get ideas and support from one another.

✏️The cohort will be led by three Minnesota kindergarten teachers who are passionate about bringing agriculture into their classrooms and will help guide conversations and sessions throughout the year. MAITC staff will provide additional support to the cohort.

🗓️Sign-up will close tomorrow, October 30th!

🔗Learn more and apply here: https://form.jotform.com/262725931513154

10/28/2026

Did you know that the “pumpkin” in canned pumpkin puree isn’t actually pumpkin? 🎃 Check out our featured video “Pumpkin: How Does it Grow?” to explore this great American pumpkin myth!

🔗Find the video here on our curriculum matrix: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/companion-resources/848/

And explore some fun pumpkin-themed lesson plans that align with the video!

🎃 “The Case of the Missing Pumpkin”: Students investigate the phenomenon of decomposing pumpkins as a part of the plant's life cycle.
🔗https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/lessons/623/

🌱“Pumpkins... Not Just For Halloween”: Students estimate the size and weight of pumpkins, sprout pumpkin seeds, and make pumpkin pie in a bag.
🔗Lesson plan for grades K-2: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/lessons/545/
🔗Lesson plan for grades 3-5: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/lessons/131/

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10/27/2026

October Pumpkin Book Feature: “Pumpkin Pumpkin” by Jeanne Titherington 🎃

🌱The story's character, Jamie, plants a pumpkin seed and observes the plant's growth, blossom formation, and pumpkin growth. A good exposure at an early age to the concept of life cycle.

📖Find associated lesson plans on our website: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/companion-resources/459/

🎃And explore our curriculum matrix to find other pumpkin-themed lesson plans, books, and other companion resources: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/browse/?search_term=pumpkin

10/27/2026

We are seeking presenters for the 2027 Minnesota School Garden Conference!🌱

🗓️The conference will be held on Tuesday, March 9th at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum!

🧑‍🏫We are currently seeking presenters to share information, lead experiences, and connect with attendees during 10–15-minute lightning talks, 45-minute breakout sessions, or hands-on 75-minute technical sessions

📃If you are interested in presenting at the 2027 MN School Garden Conference, please complete the Presenter Proposal Form by November 20th

🔗Submit presenter proposals here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/PANdnWhDDf

🌱Learn more about the School Garden Conference on our website: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/school-gardens/school-garden-conference/

Registration to attend the conference will open in January 2027. We hope to see you there!

10/26/2026

Today is National Pumpkin Day! 🎃 Check out our featured lesson plan: “The Case of the Missing Pumpkin.” In this lesson, students will investigate the phenomenon of decomposing pumpkins as a part of the plant's life cycle.

🔗Explore the lesson here on our curriculum matrix: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/lessons/623/

🌱Follow along with us on social media this week as we feature pumpkin-themed lesson plans, activities, and videos! And explore pumpkin education resources for yourself on our curriculum matrix here: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/browse/?search_term=pumpkin

10/23/2026

Meet Kari Carlson, our featured teacher for October 2026! 🌱Mrs. Carlson is a 1st grade teacher at Sebeka Elementary in Sebeka, MN who connects students with local agriculture to learn where their food comes from. As a teacher, she wants to influence student’s futures in the classroom and beyond. ✏️

Check out one of Kari Carlson’s recommended lesson plans, “Pumpkins... Not Just For Halloween,” (Grades K-2) 🎃 In this lesson, students will estimate the size and weight of pumpkins, sprout pumpkin seeds, and make pumpkin pie in a bag.

Find the lesson plan on our website: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/lessons/545/

10/22/2026

Are you a kindergarten teacher who wants to bring more agriculture into your classroom? The MAITC Kindergarten Cohort will bring together up to 25 kindergarten teachers from across Minnesota to learn, share ideas and support one another throughout the school year! 🌱

📖This cohort is designed to be a place where kindergarten teachers can connect with other teachers who are interested in using agriculture for student learning, share what is working in their classrooms, and get ideas and support from one another.

✏️The cohort will be led by three Minnesota kindergarten teachers who are passionate about bringing agriculture into their classrooms and will help guide conversations and sessions throughout the year. MAITC staff will provide additional support to the cohort.

🗓️Sign-ups will close on October 30th!

🔗Learn more and apply here: https://form.jotform.com/262725931513154

10/21/2026

Students across the state loved our apple lesson kits! 🍎 For Farm to Kids Month, we sent out 150 apple lesson kits that were enjoyed by 6,599 students. The kits included an apple-themed book, a lesson plan and activities, hands-on tools, and funds to purchase locally-grown apples.

Want to do an apple lesson with your students? Check out our “A is for Apples” lesson on our curriculum matrix!
🍏Students will use their five senses to investigate apples, identify and model the parts of an apple, make applesauce, and discover how apples are grown
🔗Find the lesson plan here: https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/matrix/lessons/374/