The Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Jefferson County Extension Office, and the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation are teaming up to host a two-day professional development workshop designed to help educators bring agriculture into the classroom in meaningful, hands-on ways. The workshop, titled “Dairy, Bees, Blooms and Beyond,” will take place July 28-29, 2026, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Fairfield.
The course is designed for teachers, extension personnel, and youth educators interested in integrating agriculture into STEM learning across a variety of subject areas, including science, social studies, literacy, and mathematics. The program combines in-person learning with supplemental online materials, equipping participants with practical teaching strategies and ready-to-use lessons that can be easily adapted for classroom use. Organizers say the goal is to give educators the confidence and tools they need to incorporate agriculture into everyday instruction while connecting students to real-world applications of STEM concepts.
The first day of the workshop will center on guided farm tours. Participants will travel to Wells Dairy Farm in Milton and Milton Creamery to explore dairy production and processing firsthand, with a lunch stop at The Dutchman’s Store along the way. The group will then continue to Bushels and Blooms Farm and Cedar Valley Winery in Batavia. Transportation will be provided for all attendees throughout the day.
Day two will shift to classroom application, featuring a lineup of guest speakers and educational resources. Attendees will hear from a local beekeeper, learn about soil health and cover crops from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and explore agriculture-based curriculum resources provided by organizations including Iowa Corn, the Jefferson County Farm Bureau, the Jefferson County Extension Office, and the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation.
Participation is limited to 30 attendees and early registration is encouraged. Interested individuals can sign up online at aealearningonline.escworks.com. For additional information, contact Jefferson.county@ifbf.org.
