| “All AITC lessons are aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning. Our goal is to provide Virginia teachers with great classroom resources that can make their jobs easier and students learning more fun,” says Tammy Maxey, AITC Sr. Education Coordinator. Tammy Maxey joined AITC four years ago after 23 years in teaching and school administration. With Tammy’s educational experience she knows what teachers need and want for their classrooms. “AITC lessons are designed to integrate into existing curriculums. This is not another thing for teachers to do but another tool for them to achieve their educational goals,” says Maxey.
AITC provides workshops and educational resources to teachers in grades PreK-8 all over Virginia. Workshops are conducted at public and private schools and at regional sites. Teachers who attend workshops receive books, lessons and classroom resources. All workshops are provided at no cost as the program is funded through the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom and Virginia Farm Bureau.
 Why Agriculture in the Classroom?
“Most Virginians don’t realize how much agriculture impacts their lives every day,” says AITC Executive Director Karen Davis. “Agriculture is so efficient that we take it for granted. One American farmer can feed over 140 people. We have an abundant, safe and inexpensive food supply but it could all go away if our farms and farmers go away. That is why we educate teachers and students about agriculture and hope they gain not only knowledge but an appreciation of the industry so it continues to be a major part of Virginia’s economy and landscape.”
Karen has worked for AITC for over 14 years. Coming to the program when her two sons were just starting school, Karen wanted to be part of a program that benefitted children. “AITC has been a great fit. We work with teachers across the state and help them reach students. AITC provides a great service and I love what I do,” says Davis.
 Virginia Farm Bureau and Agriculture in the Classroom
AITC has been sponsored by the Virginia Farm Bureau since the early 1980’s. AITC is partially funded by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and partially funded by the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company is a long time and generous donor to the Foundation as are many insurance staff around the state. The Foundation raises about $300,000 each year for educational programs so all AITC services can be provided to teachers and school divisions at no cost.
Cows Don’t Go to School, but children still need to know where their food and fiber come from.
The Cows Don’t Go to School campaign was started last year to raise awareness of the AITC program and funding needs has been successful. Last school year 1,884 Virginia teachers and pre-service teachers attended workshops and fundraising was up 3%. So while no cows have been sent to school, Agriculture in the Classroom continues to tell agriculture’s story to Virginia teachers and students. “Today’s children really need to understand where their food and fiber come from so they can be good consumers, citizens and parents in the future”, says Davis.
For more information about Agriculture in the Classroom contact Executive Director Karen Davis at 804-290-1142, Sr. Education Coordinator Tammy Maxey at 804-290-1143 or visit the AITC Web site at www.agintheclass.org.
Deborah has been an Insurance agent with Virginia Farm Bureau for the past three years and is licensed in Life, Property and Casualty, Long Term Care and General Liability | 
