Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board Launches Teacher Awareness Program Showcasing Today's Agricultural Practices
Student activities utilize 360 videos created by U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® to foster critical thinking and a deeper understanding of animal welfare and sustainability in agriculture.
MADISON, Wis., July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With each generation becoming further removed from agriculture, many teachers and students today have not had the opportunity to visit rural America, tour a farm or ranch, or talk to someone who works in production agriculture. Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board partnered with U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® to launch a program that would create an opportunity for teachers and students to learn about the modern technologies used to grow and raise food.
The program, created for high school science and social studies classes, will support and promote the Discovering Farmland curriculum. To drive student engagement, the program incorporates two companion activities for 360-degree videos of a hog farm and explores aspects of animal care and sustainable food production. The program also encourages farmers to be present during the lessons to provide perspective on how agriculture is continually evolving and to answer students' questions.
"The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board invests in providing teachers and students with curriculum and resources that accurately portray modern agriculture. This program is designed to help students make more informed food purchasing decisions and understand the tools and technologies used in today's agriculture to improve sustainability and animal welfare."
In addition to the 360 video activities, the Discovering Farmland curriculum uses content and videos from the award-winning documentary, FARMLAND, a film by James Moll. New this year is the Digital Exploration (investigating food product label claims) and Interactive Lesson Plans, which build off the four free lesson plans (Farming as an Industry, Educated Consumers, Breaking Down Stereotypes, and Challenges in Farming and Ranching). These activities further inspire students in urban areas to gain real world insights and an understanding of where their food comes from and how it is grown and raised.
Through this partnership between USFRA and Discovery Education, the Discovering Farmland program has reached more than 1 million students and 16,000 curriculums have been downloaded. In 2017, new tools will include FARM360 VR immersion experiences, four new digital lesson bundles, video vignettes with companion activities, and more.
To access Discovering Farmland's lessons plans and activities, and to learn more, visit www.discoveringfarmland.com.
About Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board
The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) is a grassroots, farmer-led organization that leads efforts in soybean research and the expansion of soybean market opportunities. Established in 1983 as part of a Wisconsin-mandated checkoff, the board works every day to maximize the profitability of Wisconsin soybean producers. It builds soybean demand, creates new uses for soybeans, and focuses on soybean disease research. WSMB is committed to providing statewide soy education and outreach programs that inform consumers about the benefits of soy. It offers a comprehensive soy curriculum for educators, and partners with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom to provide Soybean Science Kits and lessons that increase agricultural literacy.
About U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®)
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) consists of more than 100 farmer and rancher led organizations and agricultural partners representing virtually all aspects of agriculture, working to engage in dialogue with consumers who have questions about how today's food is grown and raised. USFRA is committed to continuous improvement and supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers' efforts to increase confidence and trust in today's agriculture. To learn more, visit our website at www.fooddialogues.com. You can also find USFRA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
SOURCE U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA)
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