Franklin Park Conservatory
Looking for a great field trip? Check out Bending Nature at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus. Bending Nature draws parallels between the visual arts and the Conservatory’s traditional mission of horticultural science and education. Plants, plant growth and horticultural traditions have inspired this group of very different artists and designers. Groups may choose a guided tour, an interactive experiential tour or a self-guided exploration of the many facets of Franklin Park Conservatory. The exhibit runs through March 29. Check out more details including group prices at Franklin Park’s Web site fpconservatory.org/bendingnature.htm.

Resources for the classroom
Crop Connectors: Growing Carrots in Ohio was developed based on an Our Ohio TV segment. The kit includes a kid-friendly video in DVD format and follows the life cycle of carrots — from farm to Campbell Soup Company. Additional kit components are a teacher’s guide, carrot seeds and evaluation form to return. The kit is designed to match academic content standards in science and social studies primarily for fourth grade while introducing students to the economics and science of Ohio agriculture.

Growing Carrots in Ohio costs $20 and can be ordered from county Farm Bureaus. Contact Judy Roush at 614-246-8243 or jroush@ofbf.org for more information.

Up-to-date statistics
Ohio Farm Bureau recently fulfilled a request for Ohio agricultural statistics information for a classroom presentation. Student handouts and a poster with the same information were created and can be made available to you for a nominal price. Contact Judy Roush for ordering information: 614-246-8243 or e-mail jroush@ofbf.org.

In the News:
Soil Erosion
Teaching about soils and the Dust Bowl? The History Channel recently featured a program called Black Blizzard that teachers may want to use to demonstrate the importance of soil conservation. Here’s the program description from The History Channel's Web site: “Take a front row seat on a period of U.S. history from 1930-1940 when America’s heartland was ravaged by a weather phenomenon that became known as a ‘black blizzard.’ Learn how a black blizzard emerged so ferociously that it seemed like a moving mountain range creating enough static electricity to power New York City. Hear the story of the people who refused to leave their land and learn the history of the Great Plains and how it came to be settled.” Visit the History Channel’s Web site shop.history.com/ to purchase the video for $29.95. If you show the video, how about inviting a local farmer or representative from the Soil and Water Conservation Service to your classroom to talk about modern soil conservation efforts?

Save the date
2009 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, June 24 to 27, Millennium Hotel, St. Louis, Mo.

“Bridging the Gap with Agriculture in the Classroom”

Check out more details including the tentative agenda at the Web site agclassroom.org

Ohio Farm Bureau Teacher & Volunteer Workshop, June 15, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Columbus.