Georgia has formally integrated agricultural education in elementary public schools with a pilot program for Elementary Agricultural Education (EAE) in grades K-5 that started in 2019. The 26 EAE teachers are in need of professional development to increase agricultural literacy for themselves as well as their current and future students in K-5 agricultural education.
This proposal will professionally develop new EAE teachers in pedagogical content knowledge; to build community support (especially with Cooperative Extension); establish and utilize a school farm; establish a farm-to-school program; develop student interests in food, agricultural, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences; and infuse equity and inclusion throughout the program.