About
"Lambton-Kent Agriculture in the Classroom" (LKAITC) committee is a group of volunteers committed to delivering curriculum based agricultural and food programs to youth in Lambton and Kent Counties free of charge.
The hands-on approach to learning used by the programs we are involved with are the key to the education process.
Increasing awareness of the agri-food industry continues to be the mandate of the committee. It is our belief that the students become better educated consumers in the future.
As farmers, we have failed in the past to tell our story, and this provides us with an avenue to do so.
Adopt-a-Farmer
LKDSB's Science Education Partnership Agricultural Division, who partners with LKAITC, have volunteers that are actively farming, and many have additional full-time jobs, either within or external to the agricultural sector.
Local farmers with this program are willing to visit classrooms to talk about agriculture related topics such as;
- Farm to Table
- Caring for Farm Animals
- Keeping Soil Healthy
- Growing Crops
- Sustainability on the Farm
If you want to participate, please have a month and topic in mind when you would like to have a farmer visit, and email the Science Education Partnership for more information: [email protected]
For a list of Agricultural web-based resources for educators, curated by the Science Education Partnership Agricultural Division, CLICK HERE.
Yearly Programs & Videos
In February of each year, the LKDSB's Science Education Partnership offers a special opportunity for your class to celebrate Canada Agriculture Day.
Local farmers visit interested classrooms to talk about how they grow food, take care of their farm animals, how they care for their soil, and the science that drives modern day agriculture.
A memorandum will go out to all schools in mid-January inviting classes to sign up for this activity.
LKAITC's only fundraiser to put on these programs is through the annual Gala fundraiser held at the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph in the early spring of each year called “A Taste of Lambton-Kent”.
This multi-course meal has been an overwhelming success and includes wonderful food creations thanks to the Campus Chef Raymond.
The silent and live auctions make for an interesting evening of fun and help us to raise funds for our organization.
The generous sponsorship and ticket sales from this event help fund our education efforts throughout the year.
Over the years, we have had excellent community support with donations assisting the committee in providing agricultural awareness to the consumers of tomorrow.
Spring Days takes place in early June at the Animal Farm in Canatara Park in Sarnia.
This program targets Grade 4 students in Sarnia-Lambton and covers such topics as Simple Machines, Living with Farm Animals, and Farm Foods for Healthy Living.
This program runs over four days each year.
Harvest Days takes place at the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph in late September, early October over seven days.
This program targets Grade 3 students mostly in Chatham-Kent.
The students explore, through hands-on activities, Early Settlers, A Day in the Dairy, Soil and Seeds, and “I Spy” Agriculture.
Pre and post activities, including classroom activities, are provided to the teachers.
2021 Canada's Agriculture Day Videos
LFA History with Agriculture in the Classrom
February 12 1996:
- Marie Veroude stated she would be attending the meetings to plan for the Agriculture in the Classroom days at Hiawatha Horse Park on April 10 and 11.
March 11 1996:
- Visitors to this month's meeting were Sue Mclarty, General Manager of the Kent Federation of Agriculture, along with President Ron Cox and Vice President Mark Richards.
- They had come to invite the LFA to participate in the CFCO radio weekly comment spot, with Lambton getting one spot per month.
- It was reported that an attempt to organize a mall display had been dropped because all the groups were deeply involved in the Agriculture in the Classroom days at Hiawatha Horse Park.
July 8 1996:
- Marie Veroude gave a report on the "Agriculture in the Classroom" days at Hiawatha Horse Park.
- The Public School Board was very pleased and indicated that more schools would participate next year.
- The Separate School Board had also expressed interest in taking part.
April 12 1999:
- Janet Loosemore presented recommendations from the consumer relations Committee about the annual 4-H awards.
- She also stated that the Agriculture in the Classroom program will move this year from Hiawatha to the Brigden Fair Grounds.
- She informed the directors that planning had begun for a Farm Tour on Oct. 3rd.
- Don McGugan gave a report on what he had learned at the Nutrient Management Conference.
October 7 1991:
- Mona Mae Thompson. from the Moore Agricultural Society, addressed the directors on the topic of a recent provincial meeting to create a group to focus on Agriculture in the Classroom.
- The meeting referred to was the founding meeting of OAFE, Ontario Agriculture and Food Education. (Note rebranded as AgScape in 2016)
- Mona Mae also talked about the program for the school children on the Friday of Brigden Fair.
February 10 1992:
- Jane Straatman attended the monthly meeting to make a presentation on Agriculture in the Classroom activities.
October 5 1992:
- Teacher Rita MacGregor, spoke to the directors about the "Agriculture in the Classroom" seminar in Guelph that the LFA had sponsored her to attend.
Dona Stewardson, LFA President 1987/1988:
The new leadership Executive team for 87/88 consisted of Past President Mac Parker, President Dona Stewardson. 1st Vice John DeVet and 2nd Vice Sandy Bunker. The support staff was Earl Morwood, with our ever faithful secretary Lois Wakefield assisting us. The list of priorities included the Free Trade Agreement. improved farm income, soil conservation, environmental issues, rural development, farm safety, new improved crop insurance, Agriculture in the Classroom, rural childcare, to name a few.
September 11 1995:
- The LFA donated $600.00 to the Forest Agricultural Society to purchase livestock gates for the show rings.
- They will be in use during the fair, 4H meetings, and Agriculture in the Classroom events.
November 11 1985:
- A bus load of Lambton farmers attended a rally at Federal Agricultural Minister John Wise's constituency office in St. Thomas.
- During a discussion with MPP David Smith it became known that Lambton would be a pilot project for a rural child care initiative with subsidized care spaces available.
- Mac Parker, Dona Stewardson and Jane Rombouts gave a report on a seminar in Toronto they attended to learn more about "Agriculture in the Classroom".
November 10 1986:
- Dona Stewardson had worked with OMAF staff and members of the Women's Institute to put on a program about "Agriculture in the Classroom" for a professional development day for teachers in Forest.
- OFA mail box signs had been purchased and were handed out to the directors present.
June 8 1987:
- Beatrix Cornelissen Reported on a 3 day "Agriculture in the Classroom" seminar in London she had attended for the LFA.
November 13 1987:
- Beatrix Cornelissen and Darrell Randell put on an Agriculture in the Classroom seminar for teachers during their professional development day at the Queen Elizabeth School in Sarnia.
October 6-9 1987:
- Directors from LFA took turns manning a display booth at the Brigden Fair.
- This was the first year that the Moore Agricultural Society had brought school children to the fair on the Friday as part of an Agriculture in the Classroom program and some directors assisted with that.
- Other "Agriculture In the Classroom" activities taking place around this time had Darrell Randell speaking to the grades 5 and 6 at Colborne school in Corunna and the Dairy Princess.
- Sandy Bunker and Darrell Randell speaking to the grades 1 to 5 at Rosedale School in Sarnia.
Contact
Address
Lambton-Kent Agriculture In The Classroom
c/o University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
120 Main St. E.
Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0
p: 519-674-1500 ext: 63588
f: 519-674-1535