GFB News Magazine
GFB accepting entries for 2024 Georgia Ag in the Classroom Teacher
by Lauren Goble
Educational Program Coordinator
Posted on March 5, 2024 10:12 PM
Carroll County teacher Samantha Camp, second from right, is the 2023 Georgia Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the
Year. GFB President Tom McCall, right, Georgia EMC Public Relations Representative Andy Paul and Georgia Foundation for
Agriculture Executive Director Lily Baucom present the award to Camp. / Photo by Jennifer Whittaker
This Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) award recognizes a Georgia educator for his or her excellence in incorporating agriculture into their lessons while meeting Georgia curriculum standards. Agricultural concepts can support the teaching of science, technology, engineering, math (STEM); science, technology, engineering, art, math (STEAM) as well as science, technology, emotional learning, art and math (STREAM).
It’s important for students to understand how agriculture impacts their daily life. Many Georgia teachers are integrating agriculture into their daily lessons.
The Georgia AITC Teacher of the Year award allows county Farm Bureaus to nominate a teacher who goes above and beyond to teach his or her students about Georgia agriculture. GFB looks forward to recognizing one of these teachers as the 2024 Georgia Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. The deadline for teachers to enter is May 3.
Carroll County teacher Samanta Camp is the 2023 GFB AITC Teacher of the Year. She received a $500 prize courtesy of Georgia EMC and an expense-paid trip to the 2024 National Ag in the Classroom Conference to be held in Salt Lake City in June, sponsored by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture.
Visit https://gfb.ag/camp23aitcteacher to learn how the Mount Zion Elementary teacher introduces her students to agriculture while meeting curriculum standards.
“Students love getting outside, getting their hands dirty and loving on animals. I felt with our population growing exponentially that students needed to be exposed to farming careers at an early age. This way, students will learn the importance of farming and growing crops to survive,” said Camp, who teaches kindergarteners through fifth grade students.
Carroll County Farm Bureau (CCFB) volunteers have teamed up with Camp to lead hands-on activities for her STEM students that reiterate the things they learn about in class. Camp and CCFB have worked together to install raised garden beds and a chicken coop at the school so the students can do ag-related projects on a regular basis.
Camp also works with local FFA students to hold Ag Days and in-house field trips to which she invites CCFB and other ag organizations and businesses to participate.
• May 3 is deadline to submit applications. The winner receives a $500 cash award & a trip to the 2025 National Ag in the Classroom Conference.
• High school/middle school/elementary school ag teachers are not eligible for this award.
• Teacher should have a close partnership with their local Farm Bureau.
• If interested in applying, contact your local Farm Bureau office. Visit www.gfb.ag/contact to find your county Farm Bureau’s contact information.
• Applications must be submitted online. Visit www.gfb.ag/teacheraward for more information & to apply.
2024 National AITC Conference
• June 24 – 27/ Salt Lake City, UT
• Visit www.agclassroom.org/conference/ for more information & to register.
Georgia Farm Bureau Educational Program Coordinator Lauren Goble may be reached at ldgoble@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5135. Visit www.gfb.ag/AITC for the latest AITC news & for resources to teach children how their food is grown.