Planet Agriculture
Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), as a part of its urban education effort, presents an educational exhibit called Planet Agriculture. The program started in 1991 as a 20’ display exhibited at various livestock shows and home and garden shows promoting agriculture and the Texas Farm Bureau organization. From 1991 to 1996 major livestock shows became the main venue focus for the exhibit. In 1996 a 2300 square foot educational exhibit named Planet Agriculture debuted at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo in Waco, Texas. In 1997 the exhibit expanded to a 3500 square foot exhibit and shifted its emphasis from organizational promotion to agricultural education from a consumer perspective. The exhibit continued to expand over the next five years, increasing its presence at additional venues across Texas. During this time Planet Agriculture began to introduce interactive computer stations, by-product displays, miniature cotton gin demonstrations and continued to add new commodities to the exhibit.

With the growing number of visitors to the exhibit and requests to participate in new venues, the Texas Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors approved a complete revamping of the exhibit which has occurred during 2003-2004. Over $300,000 was spent on the makeover process with additional funds provided by commodity organizations for their respective displays.  The annual operating cost of Planet Agriculture approaches $500,000 with the majority funded by TFB.  Corporate partners also help offset exhibiting costs through sponsorships.

Commodities represented in the revitalization included beef, cotton, corn, dairy, grain sorghum, pork, poultry, rice, sheep and goats, wheat and wildlife.  Other displays include Ag in the Classroom, farm equipment and Texas Farm Bureau.  A presentation stage with a barn-like appearance allows for educational and entertaining programs.

In May 2005, the TFB Board approved the addition of six new displays for Planet Agriculture.  The new displays added included renewable energy (wind, ethanol, biodiesel), water/water conservation, nursery/greenhouse, equine, forestry and producer corner.  These new displays were added late 2005.

The exhibit continues today with an interactive approach to agriculture from the consumer perspective. Planet Agriculture features hands on activities, computer stations, DVD stations, live animals and educational presentations.  A major goal of the exhibit is to show the daily interrelation between agriculture and consumers.

Agriculture in the Classroom
Agriculture in the Classroom is a nationwide initiative to educate children about the importance of agriculture in our daily lives. With programs in all 50 states, the U.S. Territories, and similar endeavors in other countries such as Canada, Agriculture in the Classroom has an impact not only nationwide, but in many parts of the world.

In 1981, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary John Block recognized that because of the urbanization of our society most children were 2 and 3 generations removed from any contact with production agriculture. Their parents, and in many cases their grandparents, were not raised on a farm as in past generations. This fact has caused us to take for granted the processes involved in producing, processing, transporting and marketing the abundant and affordable food and fiber supply we depend on for survival. To help correct this, Agriculture in the Classroom was initiated, with USDA taking the leading role in helping states to organize and develop their own Ag in the Classroom programs.

Texas Farm Bureau began developing its Agriculture in the Classroom program in 1985. The success of Ag in the Classroom has been due to the efforts of our County Farm Bureau organizations. They introduce the program to the schools in their counties, provide funding for resource material, and develop and coordinate follow-up activities such as Ag Fairs.

Resources for teachers have been developed which include Food and Fiber for the 21st Century, a three ring binder chock full of lesson plans, ideas and activities that make agriculture come alive for students.  Food and Fiber for the 21st Century is also available on CD.  Additional resources include a video exploring the four major geographic regions of Texas, an interactive CD about careers in agriculture and numerous other resources for all grade levels.

In addition to resource material, Texas Farm Bureau offers teacher workshops around the state.  Those attending receive Agriculture in the Classroom material along with a certificate for continuing professional development credit as authorized by the State Board of Educator Certification.

Texas Farm Bureau, in conjunction with Tarleton State University, conducts a week-long graduate level class every summer in Stephenville, Texas.  In most cases, local County Farm Bureaus provide a scholarship to cover tuition, room and board for teachers from their county.

We will continue to depend on the hard work of our County Farm Bureau organizations to make Ag in the Classroom successful.

Remember that everything we eat and wear comes from agriculture.