Minnesota State Wire

Minnesota will host the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, themed "Lakes, Land, and Legends," from June 23 to June 26, 2025. The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis and is organized by the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO). This professional development conference targets Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, volunteers, and agricultural literacy leaders nationwide. Participants will engage in workshops designed to integrate agriculture into core subjects following national education standards. Additionally, traveling workshops will provide a direct experience of Minnesota's varied agricultural landscapes.

The Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Foundation has awarded full scholarships to 25 teachers across Minnesota for attending this conference. These educators represent various subject areas and schools statewide, from Kelliher to Worthington.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson is scheduled to deliver welcome remarks on Tuesday, June 24th. He stated, “Minnesota’s agriculture is as rich and varied as the landscapes that shape it. From our lakes and forests to our family farms and farmers markets, there’s a story to be told in every corner of our state. I’m excited to welcome educators from across the country to experience the spirit of Minnesota firsthand through the 'Lakes, Land, and Legends' conference."

MAITC aims to enhance agricultural literacy through K-12 education by connecting real-world agricultural content with subjects such as science, social studies, language arts, and nutrition. More information about classroom resources can be found at minnesota.agclassroom.org.

NAITCO is a nonprofit organization working nationally to improve agricultural literacy among teachers and students by emphasizing agriculture's importance. Through its partnerships with state programs and its annual conference, NAITCO has reached millions of students and thousands of teachers nationwide. Details about registration for this year's conference are available at agclassroom.org/conference or via email at events@naitco.org.