Curated OER
Salmon vs. Dams: The Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River
Students use roll playing to discuss the merits of tearing down these dams so that the Elwha River can run free. The activity is presented in the form of a council meeting to encourage students to try to build consensus in finding...
Curated OER
Land Grant Colleges
Students are introduced to the concept of land grant colleges which allowed agriculture to be brought into education. As a class, they create a timeline and compare and contrast the land grant colleges of 1890 and 1892. They use maps...
Curated OER
Eat Smart. Play Hard.
Students study healthy food choices and the energy it creates for physical activity. In this food energy lesson, students complete multiple activities to learn about the benefits of healthy eating upon physical activity.
Curated OER
The Heartland
Students note how personal perceptions influence the understanding of what a region. They look at an agricultural map of what is considered to be the Heartland of the US. They read the words to George Strait's, America's Heartland to see...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Build it Better
If you think you can do better, feel free to give it a try. Pupils learn about the work on Temple Grandin and consider ways to improve animal handling facilities. They work in groups to build models to showcase their ideas.
Curated OER
KORN-TV Newsroom
Role-play to learn. Writers pretend to be a team of news writers. They research information about genetically engineered corn and the impact of biotech food products. Then create a video, Powerpoint, or oral presentation to present their...
Garden of Praise
George Washington Carver Test
This is a standard multiple-choice assessment on the life and ideas of George Washington Carver. It includes 20 questions on topics covering information about his birth and education, major career moves, teaching principles, ethics, etc.
Curated OER
Non Native Species: English Ivy-Landscape Plant or Deadly Killer?
Young scholars study the impact that invasive species have on biodiversity and more natural areas.
Curated OER
Amazing Mazes
Students locate corn mazes and explain how they are an example of farm tourism. They search for sites within their community that could generate farm tourism.
![National Agriculture in the Classroom: A Look at Iowa Agriculture [Pdf] Handout](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "National Agriculture in the Classroom: A Look at Iowa Agriculture [Pdf] Handout")
Agriculture in the Classroom
National Agriculture in the Classroom: A Look at Iowa Agriculture [Pdf]
National Agriculture in the Classroom: A Look at Iowa Agriculture [PDF]
US Department of Agriculture
Economic Research Service: Iowa
This site provides a state fact sheet on Iowa from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You will find information on the population, farm characteristics, and top commodities and exports.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: An American Family Farm
Captioned slideshow depicting what everyday life is like for a family on a farm in Iowa.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: Natl Historic Landmarks in Iowa: The Farm House (Knapp Wilson House)
Home of agriculturist and teacher Seagram A. Knapp and of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, now on Iowa State University campus.
Wessels Living History Farm
Living History Farm: Contour Plowing
Wessels Living History Farm explains some of the history behind contour plowing in the United States. Great photo illustrating contour planting on terraces in Iowa included.
Other
Camp Silos: Introduction to Farming Today and Tomorrow
Student-friendly site explaining the history of farming. The section on farming today and tomorrow gives viewers the opportunity to see pigs being born. Requires QuickTime plug-in.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Iowa, 1904
A map from 1904 of Iowa showing the State capital of Des Moines, major cities and towns, railroads, and rivers. "Iowa (Hawkeye State) - The first white settlement was made in 1788. Admitted to the Union in 1846. Area, 66,025 square...
Black Past
Black Past: Carver, George Washington
This brief encyclopedia biography about George Washington Carver tells about his interest and research in agriculture, especially in the South.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The 1980s Farm Crisis
This 90-minute film was produced by Iowa PBST Farm Crisis. This feaure examines the economic and personal disasters that afflicted the agriculture sector in the 1980s.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Troublesome Creek
Companion website to the PBS documentary on the disappearance of the small American farm.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Norman E. Borlaug, ph.d.
A well-written biography of Norman E. Borlaug, a native of Iowa and an agricultural scientist. He worked throughout his life in the fight to end world hunger, winning the Nobel Peace Prize for this work. Includes a profile, interview and...