A partnership program of Monterey County Agricultural
Education, Inc. and Grower-Shipper Foundation.
This Executive Seminar Program provides policy makers, educators,
media, and other community leaders the opportunity to "walk
in the shoes of a farmer", to see Monterey County through
the eyes of those involved in the many facets of agriculture.
Click
here for more information on AgKnowledge.
Click here
for an Application for AgKnowledge.
AgKnowledge Fellows will better understand the heart
of those that work the land or otherwise contribute to the
production and distribution of agricultural commodities.
The eight day-long seminars, held once a month, cover topics
such as technology, economics, regulations, labor, marketing,
cultures, quality assuracne, and heritage.
AgKnowledge Fellows explore the impact agriculuture
has on local communities, international nutrition and health,
political issues, geography, stewardship, water, and urban
interface in personal, hands-on interaction with industry
professionals.
By participating in AgKnowledge, Fellows develop
an appreciation of the broad spectrum of issues affecting
agriculture and gain a better understanding of the people,
families, history, and future of the agriculture industry.
The long term goal of AgKnowledge, is to develop
and sustain community support for farmers, ranchers and all
those involved in Monterey County Agriculture.
Click
here for more information on AgKnowledge.
Click here
for an Application for AgKnowledge.
Comments from AgKnowledge Inaugural Class Fellows:
"The experience of hearing from generations of family
members, speaking passionately about what they do and why
they continue to do it is priceless. It really gives a new
perspective on agricultural activities."
• Mary Ann Leffel, Vice President, Commercial Lending
and Business Development, Wells Fargo Bank
"AgKnowledge offered me a wonderful experience by opening
my eyes to so many dedicated and committed people at all levels
of the agriculture industry in Monterey County. It is a truly
awe inspiring process, how our fresh produce serves a nation.
I look forward to using my new found knowledge to build further
relationships with the Shipper and Grower community, as we
seek to connect our work with a more expansive network of
partners."
• William Leahy, Executive Director, Big Sur Land Trust
"The good will, integrity, stewardship and expertise
of those individuals who were so generous in sharing their
knowledge was very impressive and will long remain with me
and I'm sure the other participants. I think the benefits
we received far out-weigh the tuition so please accept this
donation in appreciation for the value I received."
• Peter Kasavan, Kasavan Architects
"Thank you for inviting ….the Health Department to participate
in the Inaugural Class of AgKnowledge. I enjoyed it very much
and I learned more than I believed possible in only 7 sessions.
I found all of the days interesting and I looked forward to
each session. The cross section of participants in AgKnowledge
also was good, as it allowed us to hear different perspectives
about agriculture."
• John C. Ramirez, Assistant Director of Environmental
Health, Monterey County Health Department
"It was a full sensory experience to hear, see, smell,
taste and touch the wide variety of .... Monterey County agricultural
industry. Perfectly complimenting this experience was the
cadre of industry leaders who graciously shared their knowledge.
Without a doubt, I strongly recommend the program."
• Wayne Tanda, Director, Monterey County Office of Resource
Management
"AgKnowledge was an amazing experience. I walked in thinking
I knew a good deal about the agricultural industry. Wrong.
The program opened my eyes and taught me far more than I ever
imagined. Industry leaders shared their insight in farm fields,
board rooms and research labs. Their depth of agricultural
knowledge made the program worthwhile and challenging. I would
recommend this program to fellow journalists and anyone else
who wants to learn more about the county's leading industry."
• Carolina Garcia, Executive Editor, The Monterey County
Herald.
Agriculture in Space premiered in May 2003. Sponsored by Monterey
County Agricultural Education, NASA and Hartnell College, this
innovative program for middle school and high school teachers
combines the high technology and science of the NASA space program
with the technology and science of food production. In the first
program of its kind in the United States, fifty area educators
and ag industry leaders duplicated actual space station experiments
on propagating specially developed crops, such as miniature
wheat, broccoli, rapini, lettuce and tomatoes. NASA was so pleased
with the program that plans are in the works for a National
Conference modeled after our event!
Careers in Agriculture is a day-long program for approximately
400 high school students coming from 12 schools. The students
get to meet with and ask questions of those working in the ag
industry. Each tour covers a wide range of careers, as well
as their education requirements. The second half of the day
shows students an array of possible post high school education
programs, from training programs to universities. Each student
is required to complete a fact finding questionnaire, which,
coupled with raffle prizes, helps students gain the most from
the experience. Monterey County Ag Education, Inc. wants to
reach all high school students to change overall perception
of opportunities in agriculture; to develop the work force of
the future; to encourage students to stay in high school; and
to increase the basic knowledge of agriculture. 
The Farm Day Experience is provided at entirely no cost to
school districts or individual schools. The only requirement
for participation is teacher attendance at a Workshop prior
to the event. The Workshop adds another, very valuable dimension
to The Farm Day Experience. Each year, The Workshop presents
a variety of new and current curriculum materials, as well
as methods to incorporate these lessons and agriculture into
everyday classroom lessons. Through The Workshop teachers
reach a level of familiarity with agriculture, and are then
more comfortable using ag themes with their students. The
Workshop also provides an opportunity for educators to discover
facts versus fiction in many controversial topics. By providing
teaching materials, ideas, and answers, The Farm Day Experience
becomes a more enriching, lasting educational program.
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Education and Agriculture Together (EAT) is an educational
program directed toward school superintendents and administrators.
Every year EAT allows administrators to connect personally
with those involved in the agricultural industry. The administrators
learn about science and technology involved in agriculture,
the wide variety of careers available, and the potential opportunities
for students. It also gives agriculture employers the chance
to let educators know what they look for when hiring employees.
Monterey County Agricultural Education offers community awareness
with a huge variety of advocacy and ag visibility presentations.
Middle school teachers learn about how to incorporate agriculture
into classroom lessons; local youth groups discover the difficulties
of harvesting a crop, but feel the satisfaction of providing
food for others; government and private industry visitors
learn the unique qualities of Monterey County agriculture
and the progressive science and modern technology used in
the industry. The organization works in as many venues as
possible. It offers group and individual tours, speakers for
classrooms, and fair and community event exhibits. We do our
best to work will all specific requests.
Powerpoint Presentations
Careers In Agriculture
* 12 MB file size.
* For best viewing, save
file to your desktop and open in MS PowerPoint. Large file
size may result in long download time.
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