By Marlee Jackson
(334) 613-4219

Dozens of Alabama educators are ready to grow, thanks to a free, fun, informative workshop hosted by Alabama Ag in the Classroom (AITC). 

The annual summer institute held June 11-13 in Mobile equipped teachers, Extension agents and homeschool parents with extensive resources they’ll implement in classrooms this fall. 

The conference was time well spent, said Shakiyla Morrissette. The mom of eight from Monroe County homeschools her older children and said she’s excited to share a new wealth of knowledge with her pupils.

“We already farm, and I thought I might be able to pull farming and school together,” she said. “I feel like I’ve learned that I can teach standards like math using our farm.”

Rachel Chastain wore two hats at the conference — first as chair of the Alabama Farmers Federation State Women’s Leadership Committee, which helps coordinate the workshop.

Her second cap was that of an educator eager to share tips and tricks with fellow teachers. Chastain, who teaches at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind in Talladega County, tag-teamed a gardening how-to session with Kathy DeFoor of Morgan County. Teachers, who received continuing education units, asked a flurry of questions — a natural curiosity that will pay dividends in the classroom.

“Gardening is accessible for students of all needs,” Chastain said. “Even if you don’t grow anything, you’ve already won.”

A handful of south Alabama legislators joined the teachers for tours of Martin’s Nursery in Semmes, Dairyland Nursery in Tanner Williams and Driskell Farms in Grand Bay. AITC is funded through legislative appropriations into the Education Trust Fund, with supplemental funding through the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation.

At Dairyland, farmer Mark Williams showcased the art of shaping topiaries. After his demonstration, Chastain and Katherine Parham were tasked with picking up shears and attempting to snip, clip and trim the evergreen into a spiral. 

Parham said it was a worthy reminder that hands-on education works.

“This conference has me hoping to get back out into the garden with my students,” said Parham, who teaches special education to elementary students. “My kids are always hands-on. They need something to get their energy out.”

The day of farm tours included a special panel discussion featuring Chastain, Will Miller of Driskell Farms, Kerra Middleton of Middleton Farms and Dillon Turk of Martin’s Nursery. 

“We can read them books and show them videos (about agriculture), but it’s not the same until you smell it and step in it!” joked Middleton, also the media specialist at Tanner Williams Elementary School. “You guys can help us tell that story. You’ve seen it. You have your own personal experience, and when you return to the classroom, it will be more impactful.”

Turk thanked the teachers for their time and enthusiasm to help share farmers’ stories. 

“If you’re in production agriculture, you’re swamped all the time,” he said. “You feel like you don’t have time to advocate for yourself. Having folks like y’all who have a captive audience — you can start the building blocks of getting correct information out there.”

Other topics included the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, Farm-City’s role in classrooms and resources on the state and national AITC websites.

Before leaving Mobile, each teacher loaded more than $500 worth of books, posters and other educational guides into their cars. Additionally, 10 teachers received hydroponic gardens, while 10 more walked away with incubators.

AITC Summer Institute applications close April 15 annually. Learn more at AlabamaAITC.org.