The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Seven Hancock County teachers spent time this summer learning about the many ways science is used in the agricultural industry through the Western Illinois University Summer Agriculture Institute.
Food, fiber and shelter products make up one of the foundations of our society and economy.
The local County Farm Bureaus and Dr. Buck Tillotson of Western Illinois University conducted the institute.
Teachers prekindergarten through high school learned how to teach lessons about why agriculture is important.
The lessons include Ag in the Classroom, the AgriScience and AgriLearning kits, University of Illinois Extension, and material supplied by various commodity groups.
Some activities included biodegradable plastics from corn, pumpkin pie in a bag and soybean crayons.
By visiting farms, agri-businesses and agricultural research centers, the teachers learned about a variety of agricultural topics.
Some of the tour sites included: Natural Resource Conservation Service/Soil and Water Conservation District and Hess Dairy Farm in Hancock and McDonough counties, Briney's Pheasant Farm and DOT Foods in Schuyler and Brown counties, Orr Research Farm and Collver Family Winery in Pike County, Monsanto Research Farm and Twomey's Company in Warren and Henderson Counties, and Fulton FS, Jack Schleich's Grain Farm and Sunnyhill Angus Farm in Fulton County.
The agricultural industry includes more than 200 career areas in the support of production, processing, marketing and distribution of food, fiber and shelter products, raw products for industry, and products for esthetic value.
Nearly 2800 teachers have graduated from the Institutes conducted by Illinois Farm Bureau, cooperating with Western Illinois University and other universities.
Objectives for the institute are:
1. Develop a society that understands the role of agriculture in our lives.
2. Create a positive image of agriculture.
3. Raise the level of understanding of teachers about agriculture, thus increasing student understanding.
4. Develop a greater environmental understanding and appreciation.
5. Develop an awareness of the more than 200 career areas involved in agriculture.
For more information about Agriculture Literacy efforts in Hancock County, contact Dawn Weinberg, Agriculture Literacy Coordinator at 217-357-2150.
Teachers attending The Agricultural Literacy Program for Hancock-McDonough County were: Julie Hiland, Tricia Kinnamon, and Laura Rupert, all from the Carthage School District; Jack McKinnon and Laurie Myers from the La Harpe School District; and Jean Sowers and Lisa Thompson from the Southeastern School District.