GFB News Magazine
GFB accepting nominations for AITC Teacher of Year Award until May 15
by Caroline Leonhard
Posted on February 24, 2026 5:24 AM
From right, Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall presents the 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award to Dr. Stephanie Westhafer as representatives of the award sponsors, Georgia EMC Public Relations Representative Andy Paul and Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Executive Director Lily Baucom offer congratulations. Westhafer accepted the award at the 88th Annual GFB Convention in December. /Photo by Jennifer Whittaker
The Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Teacher of the Year Award recognizes educators who excel at incorporating agriculture into their lessons while meeting Georgia curriculum standards. Agricultural concepts provide valuable connections to science, technology, engineering, math (STEM); science, technology, engineering, art, math (STEAM); and science, technology, emotional learning, art, and math (STREAM).
This award highlights the importance of teaching students how agriculture impacts their daily lives. County Farm Bureaus are invited to nominate teachers who do an exceptional job in bringing agriculture to life. GFB will recognize one of these teachers as the 2026 Georgia Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.
Stephanie Westhafer, the 2025 award winner, received $500 sponsored by Georgia EMC and $2,000 to attend the 2026 National Ag in the Classroom Conference, courtesy of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau. She is a first-grade teacher at West Jackson Elementary School in Braselton, where she has taught since 2021. She previously taught Pre-K for 10 years.
Visit www.gfb.ag/westhafer25aitcteacher to learn more about Westhafer’s innovative approach to agricultural education.
“In my classroom, agriculture isn’t a subject we occasionally visit – it’s the heartbeat of our learning community. At our STEAM-certified school, students engage in project-based learning with a year-long focus in the learning garden,” Westhafer said. “Our essential question is ‘How can we maintain a seasonal garden to provide food for our school and community?’ That question drives inquiry, builds responsibility and creates meaningful connections to science, literacy, math and social studies. The larger goal is to help my students understand how agriculture sustains us and how the choices we make about food impact our health and community. My students no longer see agriculture as something that happens ‘out there,’ but as a vital part of their lives and community.”
Westhafer teaches science, English/language arts, math and social studies to her first graders. She received the GFB AITC Teacher of the Year award for incorporating agriculture topics into her class curriculum. She invites Jackson County Farm Bureau volunteers to read accurate ag books and do other activities with her classes throughout the year.
• May 15 is deadline to submit applications. The winner receives $500 & an expense-paid trip to the 2027 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.
2026 National AITC Conference
• June 22-25/ Providence, Rhode Island
• Visit www.agclassroom.org/conference/ for more information & to register.
Georgia Farm Bureau Educational Programs Manager Caroline Waldrep Leonhard may be reached at cwleonhard@gfb.org. Visit www.gfb.ag/AITC for the latest AITC news & for resources to teach children how their food is grown.