Ag Education

Sport your mustache!

June is National Dairy Month and what better way to convey that message than with a milk mustache! For those don’t know,milk and other dairy products provide a good share (approximately 75%) of the calcium in the United States Food supply. Additionally, they provide protein and vitamins as well. Here is some milk information to ponder:

• Dairy cows turn grass and grains into milk

• Cows are called ruminants because they chew their cud (they have four compartments to their stomachs)

• A Holstein cows spots (black and white) are like a fingerprint or snowflake – no two are alike

• In one day a dairy cow consumes 35 gallons of water, 20 pounds of grain and concentrated feeds and 35 pounds of hay and silage (fermented corn)

• Dairy cows come in many colors – black and white, brown, tan and reddish brown, among others

• Dairy cows weigh about 1,400 pounds each

• Milk is also used to make cheese, butter, ice cream, yogurt and sour cream

• In addition to edible products, non-edible (by-products) that come from dairy cows include leather, gelatin and medicine

• According to Michigan Agricultural Statistics, there are approximately 344,000 head of milk cows in the state (January 1, 2008)

• Milk production in Michigan in 2007 was 7,598 million pounds

Photo courtesy of the National Dairy Council

Click here for more information: Dairy Cattle Fact Card

Dedication Reaps Rewards

Two dedicated Michigan educators with more than 60 years combined teaching experience have been chosen as Michigan Farm Bureau’s K-12 and Agriscience Educators of the year for 2009. Kenneth Bollinger of Lenawee County and Tuscola Counties Jenifer Green have been selected for educating young people about the importance of agriculture.

Bollinger, this year’s Agrisciene Educator of the year, has taught students for 41 years, first in Eaton Rapids and currently at the Lenawee County Intermediate School District. He was nominated by Lenawee County for his enthusiasm in the agricultural and horticultural fields and for his dedication to his students and the community. According to John Garrison, a parent of former students, “Mr. Bollinger has been very dedicated to the position he has held here in Lenawee County all these years. He gives 100% of his time to the program as well as to the students involved. He works with students in evenings as well as throughout the summer.”

Jenifer Green has been a teacher for 20 years. She was nominated by the Tuscola County Farm Bureau for her involvement in agricultural education using hands on instruction to motivate her students to learn and retain information at a higher level, to experience science by performing experiments and activities that bring curriculum alive, Kathy Healy, Green’s nominator wrote, “Students return year after year to visit the classroom to discuss the projects they remember and what they learned.”

Both Bollinger and Green will be recognized for their achievements at the Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual meeting in December of this year in Grand Rapids.

Promoters Prove "Farmer's Care" about Michigan Agriculture

July 1 is the deadline for County Farm Bureaus to submit their nominee for the Michigan Farm Bureau Agricultural Promoter of the Year. Who is the perfect nominee? The farmer member, who hosts countless school tours, has educational opportunities throughout the year to educate consumers of all ages about agriculture and is truly a positive spokesperson for the agricultural industry.

Nominees should represent sound agricultural practices in all of their promotion and be a strong part of their community. Promoter of the Year nominees should not be educators in a K-12 school system or involved in print or broadcast media. County Farm Bureaus should recognize the Promoter of the Year at the county level.

Nominees must be regular Farm Bureau members, though not necessarily a county P&E chair. Only one nominee will be accepted per county. Forms have been distributed to counties and are available at http://www.miagclassroom.org/p&ecommittee/agpromoteraward.

HerbTeichman of Tree-Mendous Fruit Farm and nominated by Berrien County was recognized as the 2008 Agricultural Promoter of the Year. The award is sponsored by the State P&E Committee.

Click here for more information: 2009 Agricultural Promoter of the Year Application

White Reinhardt Grant Applications Now Available

County P&E programs have the opportunity to put some extra dollars in their pockets if they are successful recipients of the What Reinhardt Grant. The grants, of up to $500, are available on a competitive basis from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Education.

The 2010 grant application is now available on the foundation website at http://www.agfoundation.org or at http://www.miagclassroom.org. Though the applications are not due to Michigan Farm Bureau until October 16, it isn’t too early to start planning. Grants are awarded for classroom education programs for grades K-12 to initiate new programs or expand existing programs to additional grade levels or new subject areas.

Applications must be for agricultural literacy programs, not those that address farm safety issues or education. Funding is not available for mileage, field trips, landscaping projects, butterfly gardens, wages and benefits, or one-time consumable products such as copying, paper, seeds or meals.

In 2009, Bay and Huron county P&E programs as well as Michigan Farm Bureau’s P&E program each received $500.

Click here for more information: 2010 White Reinhardt Grant Application

2009 Marge Karker Scholarship Recipients Named

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Three Michigan State University students have been chosen as the 2009-2010 recipients of the Michigan Farm Bureau Marge Karker Scholarship. Emily Ries, Brenda Sisung and Julie Thelen will each be the recipient of a $1,000 award.

Emily Ries, from Lenawee County is the daughter of Richard and Linda Ries of Sand Creek. She is studying Agriculture & Natural Resources Communications. Emily is a 2006 graduate of Sand Creek High School. Brenda Sisung, the daughter of Donald and Jane Sisung is from St. Johns, in Clinton County. She is an animal science major and a 2007 graduate of Fowler High School. Julie Thelen, an agriscience education and animal science major, the daughter of Steven and Nancy Thelen from Washtenaw County, is a 2005 graduate of Saline High School.

The scholarship, sponsored by the State Promotion & Education Committee and administered by the Promotion & Education Department of Michigan Farm Bureau, recognizes students enrolled in a 2, 4 or post-graduate ag program at Michigan State University.

[ American Farm Bureau Federation ]
Copyrights, Disclosures & Disclaimers


	Ag Ed Home Teachers Students Farmers P&E Committee You need to have the Adobe Flash Player installed to see this calendar. Ag Education Sport your mustache! June is National Dairy Month and what better way to convey that message than with a milk mustache! For those don’t know,milk and other dairy products provide a good share (approximately 75%) of the calcium in the United States Food supply. Additionally, they provide protein and vitamins as well. Here is some milk information to ponder: • Dairy cows turn grass and grains into milk • Cows are called ruminants because they chew their cud (they have four compartments to their stomachs) • A Holstein cows spots (black and white) are like a fingerprint or snowflake – no two are alike • In one day a dairy cow consumes 35 gallons of water, 20 pounds of grain and concentrated feeds and 35 pounds of hay and silage (fermented corn) • Dairy cows come in many colors – black and white, brown, tan and reddish brown, among others • Dairy cows weigh about 1,400 pounds each • Milk is also used to make cheese, butter, ice cream, yogurt and sour cream • In addition to edible products, non-edible (by-products) that come from dairy cows include leather, gelatin and medicine • According to Michigan Agricultural Statistics, there are approximately 344,000 head of milk cows in the state (January 1, 2008) • Milk production in Michigan in 2007 was 7,598 million pounds Photo courtesy of the National Dairy Council Click here for more information: Dairy Cattle Fact Card Dedication Reaps Rewards Two dedicated Michigan educators with more than 60 years combined teaching experience have been chosen as Michigan Farm Bureau’s K-12 and Agriscience Educators of the year for 2009. Kenneth Bollinger of Lenawee County and Tuscola Counties Jenifer Green have been selected for educating young people about the importance of agriculture. Bollinger, this year’s Agrisciene Educator of the year, has taught students for 41 years, first in Eaton Rapids and currently at the Lenawee County Intermediate School District. He was nominated by Lenawee County for his enthusiasm in the agricultural and horticultural fields and for his dedication to his students and the community. According to John Garrison, a parent of former students, “Mr. Bollinger has been very dedicated to the position he has held here in Lenawee County all these years. He gives 100% of his time to the program as well as to the students involved. He works with students in evenings as well as throughout the summer.” Jenifer Green has been a teacher for 20 years. She was nominated by the Tuscola County Farm Bureau for her involvement in agricultural education using hands on instruction to motivate her students to learn and retain information at a higher level, to experience science by performing experiments and activities that bring curriculum alive, Kathy Healy, Green’s nominator wrote, “Students return year after year to visit the classroom to discuss the projects they remember and what they learned.” Both Bollinger and Green will be recognized for their achievements at the Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual meeting in December of this year in Grand Rapids. Promoters Prove "Farmer's Care" about Michigan Agriculture July 1 is the deadline for County Farm Bureaus to submit their nominee for the Michigan Farm Bureau Agricultural Promoter of the Year. Who is the perfect nominee? The farmer member, who hosts countless school tours, has educational opportunities throughout the year to educate consumers of all ages about agriculture and is truly a positive spokesperson for the agricultural industry. Nominees should represent sound agricultural practices in all of their promotion and be a strong part of their community. Promoter of the Year nominees should not be educators in a K-12 school system or involved in print or broadcast media. County Farm Bureaus should recognize the Promoter of the Year at the county level. Nominees must be regular Farm Bureau members, though not necessarily a county P&E chair. Only one nominee will be accepted per county. Forms have been distributed to counties and are available at http://www.miagclassroom.org/p&ecommittee/agpromoteraward. HerbTeichman of Tree-Mendous Fruit Farm and nominated by Berrien County was recognized as the 2008 Agricultural Promoter of the Year. The award is sponsored by the State P&E Committee. Click here for more information: 2009 Agricultural Promoter of the Year Application White Reinhardt Grant Applications Now Available County P&E programs have the opportunity to put some extra dollars in their pockets if they are successful recipients of the What Reinhardt Grant. The grants, of up to $500, are available on a competitive basis from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Education. The 2010 grant application is now available on the foundation website at http://www.agfoundation.org or at http://www.miagclassroom.org. Though the applications are not due to Michigan Farm Bureau until October 16, it isn’t too early to start planning. Grants are awarded for classroom education programs for grades K-12 to initiate new programs or expand existing programs to additional grade levels or new subject areas. Applications must be for agricultural literacy programs, not those that address farm safety issues or education. Funding is not available for mileage, field trips, landscaping projects, butterfly gardens, wages and benefits, or one-time consumable products such as copying, paper, seeds or meals. In 2009, Bay and Huron county P&E programs as well as Michigan Farm Bureau’s P&E program each received $500. Click here for more information: 2010 White Reinhardt Grant Application 2009 Marge Karker Scholarship Recipients Named Three Michigan State University students have been chosen as the 2009-2010 recipients of the Michigan Farm Bureau Marge Karker Scholarship. Emily Ries, Brenda Sisung and Julie Thelen will each be the recipient of a $1,000 award. Emily Ries, from Lenawee County is the daughter of Richard and Linda Ries of Sand Creek. She is studying Agriculture & Natural Resources Communications. Emily is a 2006 graduate of Sand Creek High School. Brenda Sisung, the daughter of Donald and Jane Sisung is from St. Johns, in Clinton County. She is an animal science major and a 2007 graduate of Fowler High School. Julie Thelen, an agriscience education and animal science major, the daughter of Steven and Nancy Thelen from Washtenaw County, is a 2005 graduate of Saline High School. The scholarship, sponsored by the State Promotion & Education Committee and administered by the Promotion & Education Department of Michigan Farm Bureau, recognizes students enrolled in a 2, 4 or post-graduate ag program at Michigan State University. [ American Farm Bureau Federation ] Copyrights, Disclosures & Disclaimers