-Submitted photo
This is the view a classroom of students sees of a farmer presenting from his farm. The students learn from the safety of their classroom while the animals are kept safe from outside bacteria that could cause them harm.

WEST DES MOINES — Like many organizations, the Iowa Agricultural Literacy Foundation (IALF) has a mission: To educate Iowans with a focus on youth regarding the breadth and global significance of agriculture.

Whether a business or education entity, sometimes missions get put into a three-ring binder to collect dust on a shelf. That’s not so with IALF under the direction of Kelly Foss and her team who have continually made certain their mission becomes practice.

“We’ve been around since 2014 connecting farm operations with classrooms,” said Foss, IALF’s executive director. “Our highest priority is to teach Iowa’s youth about agriculture. First, we build educator trust through training sessions and attending teacher conferences. Next, we focus on relationships with farmers, other industry stakeholders, and staff development. Finally, we work with informal educators to teach agricultural literacy.”

One of the ways that IALF accomplishes these goals is through “FarmChat.”

“A FarmChat uses technology in the classroom to connect to life and careers on the farm,” said Foss. “Through planned lessons, students connect with and speak directly to a farmer. Students can see the farm and ask the farmer questions.”

-Submitted photo
Kelly Foss is the executive director for the Iowa Agricultural Literacy Foundation.

Students virtually ride along in a combine and tour livestock barns all from the safety of their

classroom. Farm Chat is trademarked by the IALF.

“Our latest series of chats focused on poultry,” stated Foss. “We visited a turkey farm on Nov. 16, an ostrich farm to highlight unique poultry on Dec. 8, and we’ll conclude that series Jan. 23

with food safety and preparation.”

The chats are held live at 9:30 a.m. and are recorded for future viewing and for those who don’t register for the live event. Links for registration can be found on the group’s Facebook page or at www.iowaagliteracy.org.

In the FarmChat segment of IALF’s website, content includes event outlines, previously recorded FarmChat programs, and a photo gallery of what a FarmChat looks like in the field as well as in the classroom.

“FarmChat material is developmentally designed,” said Foss. “Participation comes from elementary, middle school, and high school classrooms — students of all ages.”

Involvement has been stout with 57 of Iowa’s 99 counties participating. The Turkey FarmChat garnered 79 registrants — registrants are teachers — with 3,045 students participating. The Unique Poultry FarmChat had 71 registrants with 1,907 students participating.

“We’re proud of these numbers and our ability to reach so many students with ag literacy,” said Foss. “Between the two events, we had registrants from eight other states, so we’re getting attention outside of Iowa for the way we’re reaching students.

The All About Poultry FarmChat series is part of the “Gobble Up! Turkey Marketing Competition,” which provides educators of grades 3-12 with lesson plans and resources to teach turkey production, marketing, and nutrition concepts alongside grade level standards.

“Learning with Pigs” was another popular FarmChat held before “All About Poultry.”

Todd Wiley, a hog farmer from Benton County, presented his expertise to the students.

“We appreciate the opportunity to educate Iowa students, as well as 4-H and FFA kids who have a genuine interest in learning about animal agriculture and raising pork,” said Wiley. “I hope the kids get a basic understanding of what goes on inside the barns — an opportunity they might not have had otherwise. While they might not remember every detail we discuss, we hope they remember these animals are well cared for and treated with a great amount of respect.”

“Learning with Pigs” had 109 registrants with 2,947 students participating and nine states outside of Iowa who peeked at what makes FarmChat such a special program.

“Farm Chat programs can be initiated by a farmer, an educator who wants to connect their core to agricultural life, Future Farmer of America (FFA) advisors, and other groups,” said Foss. “We’re happy to see demand increase for this valuable educational experience. We’re getting better at creating great learning opportunities with every FarmChat.”

IALF accepts corporate and individual contributions.

“Donations help to educate Iowa’s future consumers, voters, and leaders about the importance of Iowa’s agricultural industry,” said Foss. “We are a nonprofit organization passionate about agricultural literacy.”

For more information about contributing to IALF, go to https://www.iowaagliteracy.org/ways-to-give.