Agriculture Education and Advocacy

Agriculture Education & Advocacy is a comprehensive 7-lesson program designed for grades 6-8 that connects students to the origins of their food while empowering them to become informed advocates in their food systems. Developed in partnership with the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), this program seamlessly integrates agricultural literacy with advocacy skills.

Through engaging, standards-aligned lessons, students explore the diversity of agricultural careers, investigate environmental impacts, and develop critical thinking skills about food systems. The program culminates in Student Advocacy Projects that amplify youth voices and create meaningful change in their communities.

What Students Will Learn

Food System Origins: Understanding where food comes from and the agricultural processes that bring it to our tables
Career Exploration: Discovering the wide range of opportunities in the agricultural industry, from traditional farming to agricultural technology
Environmental Stewardship: Exploring agriculture’s role in both climate challenges and solutions
Advocacy Skills: Developing the tools and confidence to become informed advocates for positive change in food systems

Getting Started

New to Agriculture Education? Start with Lesson 1: “Raising Food” to introduce students to agricultural basics.
Looking for Advocacy Integration? Jump to our advocacy-focused lessons that help students develop projects addressing real food system challenges.
Want Cross-Curricular Connections? Each lesson includes connections to science, social studies, language arts, and mathematics standards.