“When the leaves start to fall and the temperatures start to drop below zero, there’s no article of clothing that’s as omnipresent as the flannel shirt,” said Ag for Life.

Alberta producers are being urged to “channel their flannel” by submitting photos to agricultureforlife.ca (click on the Contests tab). The website notes that flannel is not the same as plaid — the former is the material and the latter is the pattern.

Winners of the contest, which is open until Nov. 30, will receive “a warm his-and-her flannel gift pack” from UFA Co-operative.

The post Farmers urged to ‘channel their flannel’ appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The program, which began May 27 and runs for 14 weeks, has weekly emails with instructions on how to plant, grow and harvest a garden, along with hands-on crafts and recipe ideas for kids ages 8 to 12.

Gardening gives children a chance to learn an important life skill and increases children’s preference for fruits and vegetables which leads to healthier eating habits in the future.

“We are excited to connect with a whole new generation of growers through this great partnership. We share a desire to educate on what it means to garden in Alberta,” said Natasha Guillot, executive director of the Calgary Horticultural Society.

There are a number of activities and resources for the Juniors Garden Club available at agricultureforlife.ca.

The post Garden program helps kids discover their green thumb appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The interactive online course can be used in the classroom to teach students how to build a personalized farm safety plan while learning safety tactics. The plan will be available in both electronic and manual versions and will allow users to include emergency contact numbers, locations of fire extinguishers and first aid kits, as well as directions to the house and other areas of the farm. The online course will include five narrated and animated first-person scenarios that prompt the user on how they would like to continue.

Ag for Life is a charitable organization that offers hands-on educational programming to children, youth and adults throughout the province via virtual learning classrooms. Its programs include ThinkAg Careers, Agriculture 101: Food and Farming, and Farm Tour for Teachers. Its programs reached more than 60,000 Albertans in over 300 communities last year.

The post Farm safety program for youth receives funding appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

“Our #FarmBabies19 contest is a fun way to welcome spring on the farm and celebrate the countless hours of work that farmers and farm families spend caring for their new arrivals,” said Luree Williamson, CEO Ag for Life. “Many people don’t understand the dedication and care that goes into raising livestock, so by sharing these photos and stories we hope to help educate Albertans about life on the farm and the vital role agriculture plays in our lives.”

Photos will be shared on social media. They must have been taken in Alberta of farm animals born from Jan. 1 to May 31, 2019. One grand prize winner will receive a selection of goods valued at over $600. For more info, go to agricultureforlife.ca.

The post Got a new cutie on the farm? appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The council will pilot Ag for Life programs and resources, and provide insight and ideas on types of programs and ag-related topics for youth.

The council will have eight to 12 members and is open to both urban and rural youth. No agriculture experience is required. Members will have the opportunity to learn more about agriculture, develop leadership skills, network with industry professionals, build their resumés, and meet new people. The term is one year and will involve two committee meetings per year, attendance at up to three events per year, and the sharing of ideas relevant to agriculture education and farm safety.

Applications can be made at the Ag for Life website. The application deadline is Sept. 17.

Ag for Life delivers educational programming designed to improve rural and farm safety while building public understanding around the agricultural industry.

The post Ag for Life seeks youth council members appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The unit has seven interactive stations dealing with hazard identification, large animals, large equipment, utilities, risk assessment, chemicals, and protective equipment. It will operate from April to October each year, offering programs geared towards Grades 4-12 or community events tailored towards families.

For more information, email info@agricultureforlife.ca. Bookings can be made at ruralsafetyunit.ca.

The post Want the Rural Safety Unit to visit your community? appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

“Many people don’t understand the dedication and care that goes into raising livestock, so by sharing these photos and stories we hope to help educate Albertans about life on the farm and the vital role agriculture plays in our lives,” said Luree Williamson, CEO of Ag for Life.

The #FarmBabies18 contest is open to all Alberta residents and photos must be taken in Alberta of farm animals born from Jan. 1 to June 1. One grand prize winner will receive a selection of goods valued at over $600. Entries will be shared on social media and on the Ag for Life website (which also has contest info).

The post Got some new cuties on your farm? appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The program, which is entering its third year, provides signs (at no cost to producers) that identify the crop being grown in a field or the breed of livestock in a pasture. People who see the signs can now go to the ‘What’s in the field?’ website to learn more about the food being produced, the farmers who grew it, and “the importance of those crops and livestock to our sustainability, economy, and food system,” said Ag for Life CEO Luree Williamson.

Farmers and ranchers can get field signs by visiting ‘Get involved’ on the Ag for Life website.

The post ‘What’s in the field?’ program adds new component appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

“Most families are three to five generations removed from the farm today and that disconnect leads to a misunderstanding about how food is raised,” said Luree Williamson, CEO of the Alberta non-profit, which promotes a greater understanding of agriculture.

“We feel the best way to shift this gap is to have agriculture within the curriculum throughout K-12 education.”

The Agriculture Education Teachers’ Symposium will bring educators, farmers, and agriculture industry experts together at Cochrane RancheHouse on Nov. 24. The day-long event will have speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions aimed at aiding educators in incorporating agriculture into their existing curriculum. Topics include sustainability, the different types of crops being grown; pesticide use and the role of bees; container gardening in the classroom; and careers in agriculture.

The symposium will be an annual event, Ag for Life said in a news release.

“Funny thing, everybody eats, and so relies on agriculture,” said Frank Robinson, a professor of poultry science at the University of Alberta and a keynote speaker at the event.

“However, not very many people know much about agriculture anymore. There is a lot of need for agricultural learning.”

For a detailed agenda or to register, go to www.agricultureforlife.ca.

The post Symposium aims to educate educators about ag appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The tool kit was created for use in schools, and includes information such as provincial statistics, facts and F&Qs, agricultural terminology, learning activities, and key contacts (such as producer groups and agriculture educational programs) that are available to schools. Information highlights key sectors of Alberta agriculture including crops, cattle, poultry, eggs, pork, and food production.

“By connecting children to where their food comes from, I believe we can ultimately foster healthier and more sustainable lifestyles,” said Linda McCain, a director of the McCain Foundation. “Who knows? We may even inspire a future generation of farmers.”

Last year, Ag for Life education programs reached more than 52,000 children, youth, and adults.

The post McCain grant supports ag education program appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.