​In June the Franklin County Ag in the Classroom teamed up with the Jefferson County Ag in the Classroom to provide a Summer Ag Institute for local teachers. Over three days teachers attend field trips to local Ag entities as well as attend presentations from Illinois Ag in the Classroom and commodity groups to gain professional development hours.
This year we had 16 teachers in attendance from a variety of counties besides our own. On Tuesday we learned how The Twisted Twins in Woodlawn got their start. We also got to see how things are done at the Mount Vernon grain elevator. On Wednesday we visited Scruggsy's Pecans in Mount Vernon and got a visit from Illinois Ag in the Classroom. Thursday, we visited The Hop in Christopher and learned about the brewing process, we learned the history of Rend Lake, and we learned how Forestry Coffee got their start.
It was a fun and very educational three days! We are looking forward to next year!

​Franklin County Ag in the Classroom was invited to the Akin STEM night this April. At this event students can participate in activities showcasing science, technology, engineering, and math. At the Ag in the Classroom table, students made walking paper horses. Horses were made from paper, then placed on a ramp to “walk”. Students had to adjust their horse so it could walk down the ramp. This is a fun event and we are happy to be invited! 

​Franklin County Agriculture in the Classroom is hosting a fish fry dinner on Friday, March 21st from 5-7:30pm at the Franklin County U of I Extension Office (1212 Ag Street in Benton).  The meal will consist of fish, baked beans, coleslaw, dessert and drink and will be catered by Anchor Grille.  Tickets for the event are $20 and can be purchased early at the Franklin County Farm Bureau Office or at the door.

​Franklin County Ag in the Classroom had the opportunity to attend the Mount Vernon Teacher Conference in October. Along with Jefferson/Hamilton and Saline/Gallatin coordinators they hosted three break out sessions to teach educators about Ag in the Classroom and the resources available to them. There were a total of 1300 educators in attendance with 35 of those attending our sessions. Teachers who attended our sessions learned about pigs and biosecurity, how to make a walking paper horse, and how bees communicate and how it relates to coding. We have been attending this teacher conference for many years and are looking forward to attending for years to come!

​Franklin County Ag in the Classroom was happy to help sponsor the Peewee showmanship competition this year at the Franklin County 4-H fair. Children ages 4-8 who are not yet able to join in 4-H are able to participate. With the help of a 4-H member, they learn how to show a goat and are asked questions by a “judge.” All participants received a goody bag and the top three who showed their goat the best were awarded prizes. We look forward to sponsoring again next year!

​Franklin County Ag in the Classroom partnered with Jefferson County to host the annual Summer Ag Institute in June. There were 21 teachers in attendance, the most we have had! During the three day institute the teachers were able to learn about different cattle growing practices from Panther Fork Cattle Company in Texico as well as Log Cabin Ranch in Ina, an education on how to grow blueberries from Oak Branch Farm located in Ina, information on bee keeping from Leedle/Houme bees in Mulkeytown, and they learned all about turf grass while driving golf carts at the Rend Lake Golf Course. In addition to the field trips they also enjoyed presentations from Illinois Ag in the Classroom, Illinois Beef Association and Saint Louis Dairy. The teachers were able to walk away with an understanding of Agriculture and new materials for their classrooms. We look forward to next year!

Franklin County Ag in the Classroom incubated chicks once again this year! Sesser, Christopher, Ziegler/Royalton and Thompsonville schools participated and hatched a total of 32 chicks! We would like to thank Dana Wylie with County Financial in Sesser for her sponsorship of this years classroom chick incubation. Her generous donation helps with the purchase of bedding materials, feed, and other necessities for the classroom incubation. Thanks Dana!

​Franklin County Ag in the Classroom was invited to participate in the Akin Grade School STEM night. At our booth students were able to learn about Soil and its many layers by making a Soil Cereal Stack. Students layered different kinds of cereals in a clear cup, each representing a different soil layer. After they finished and had learned about each Soil layer they were able to snack on their creation!

Franklin County Ag In the Classroom held a fundraiser on September 23rd at the Elks Lodge in Benton, IL.  Thank you to everyone who helped at and supported the fundraiser and Debra K’s for catering!  The money raised will go towards supplies for the Franklin County Ag in the Classroom Program.


Pictured below are Emilee Mahr, Fallon Summers, Leann Stilley and Representative Dave Severin