Are you a Texas homeschool educator looking to enrich your child’s experience with agricultural learning opportunities? The Texas Farm Bureau’s Farm from School Program offers an exceptional chance to explore agriculture, food systems, and the environment. This program is designed to bring the farm experience directly to your home through engaging, virtual lessons and interactive activities. This program is also available for traditional school environments.
What is the Farm from School Program?
The Farm from School program is a virtual agricultural learning experience that connects homeschool students with real Texas farmers and ranchers. Offered in both the fall and spring, these live, interactive lessons teach students about where their food comes from, the role of agriculture in daily life, and the importance of sustainability.
Through this program, students can:
- Meet and interact with actual farmers and ranchers.
- Learn about various agricultural topics, from crop production to livestock care.
- Ask questions and get personalized answers directly from experts in the field.
The program is open to homeschool families with students in grades K through 5, with each session tailored to age-appropriate topics and learning levels.
Benefits for Texas Homeschoolers
- Real-World Connections: Students can see firsthand how farmers and ranchers contribute to the state’s economy and their daily lives.
- STEAM Integration: The lessons incorporate science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, making it a comprehensive educational experience.
- Interactive and Fun: With live Q&A sessions, students remain engaged and curious throughout.
Spring 2025 Details
The spring program focuses on agricultural innovation and sustainability, with lessons highlighting:
- Texas crops like cotton, wheat, and pecans.
- Livestock management practices.
- The latest technology farmers use to ensure environmental stewardship.
How to Participate:
- The program is free but requires registration by January 10th.
- Each session includes pre-lesson materials, live virtual interactions, and post-lesson activities to reinforce learning.
- Families will need access to the internet and a device capable of streaming live lessons.
Other Homeschool Resources from Texas Farm Bureau
The Texas Farm Bureau is dedicated to supporting homeschool families with various educational tools. Here are additional resources they offer:
Ag Literacy Week Book Program
Homeschool parents across Texas can foster agricultural literacy from March 17-21 by reading Potatoes for Pirate Pearl, an engaging and educational agriculture-themed book.
This free program is open to Texas homeschool families. Parents who sign up will receive a complimentary copy of the book along with an educator’s guide to support meaningful learning experiences. Sign up by Feb 3rd for the 2025 program.
Curriculum Matrix
This program provides free educational materials, including:
- Over 450 lesson plans tailored to different grade levels from K through 12.
- Hands-on activities to explore agricultural concepts.
- Guides for integrating agricultural education into your homeschool curriculum.
Digital Resources and Lesson Plans
In addition to the Curriculum Matrix, Texas Farm Bureau also offers an array of free digital downloads and lesson plans to help bring the world of agriculture into your homeschool curriculum. View all the resources on the Ag in the Classroom website.
Ag on the Go
Are you part of a homeschool co-op? Sign up to bring an Ag on the Go trailer into your community program! They offer interactive lessons about ag careers, cotton, corn, forestry, livestock, and sustainability.
Homeschool Summer Ag Academy
This one is for you. This two-day academy for homeschool educators will offer site visits, hands-on learning, and presentations by agricultural and educational experts. Contact Educational Outreach staff at edoutreach@txfb.org or 254.751.2258 with questions.
Homeschool Garden Grant
The Texas Farm Bureau’s Homeschool Garden Grant connects students to agriculture through hands-on gardening projects. This program helps students learn plant science, responsibility, and how to apply agricultural concepts learned within the Ag in the Classroom curriculums.
Educators are encouraged to think creatively and consider how their garden can benefit both students and the community. For questions, email edoutreach@txfb.org or call 254.751.2258.
Get Started with Farm from School
Don’t miss the opportunity to enrich your homeschool curriculum with the Texas Farm Bureau’s Farm from School program. Visit the Texas Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom website to learn more and secure your spot.
With its engaging programs and wealth of resources, the Texas Farm Bureau makes agricultural education accessible and exciting for homeschool families across Texas.
