2020 Summer Ag Institute (SAI-1)
July 7-10, 2020
Join Rock Island County Agriculture in the Classroom for four days of Professional Development and TWO HOURS OF GRADUATE CREDIT this summer!
If participants wish to receive 2 hours of graduate credit from St. Francis University, all four days must be attended. Professional Development Hours will be available for 7.5 hours each day (non-graduate credit).
On-site visits and presentations, as well as classroom appropriate lessons & activities relating to each topic, will be provided to each participant. Each day will begin at 8 am and we will be finished at 4 pm. We will send information about locations we will visit, starting locations, any required material (i.e. closed toe shoes, etc.) once we receive your payment for the course.
Presentations & visits are still being finalized for the week. Potential topics include:
Apply what you learn in new and unique classroom lessons for easy integration into YOUR curriculum.
The sessions provide elementary and secondary teachers a better understanding of the complexity, scope, and scale of Illinois agriculture, its impact on each person's life and on the economy of Illinois and the nation.
The course fee is $125. Current Farm Bureau members will receive $20 off the course fee. Graduate credit hours will cost an additional $100/hour. Graduate course enrollment and payment information will sent to those participants who indicate graduate credit. For more information about the course, contact Sheryl at [email protected] or call the Rock Island County Farm Bureau at (309) 736-7432.
Please send your payment to the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation, 1601 52nd Ave, Suite 3, Moline, IL 61265 prior to June 5.
Cancellation/Refund policy: Cancellations/refunds will not be available after June 15. If the course is cancelled due to low enrollment, we will contact you about a refund.
If you indicated graduate credit on your registration, we will send you details regarding payment, forms, etc.
If participants wish to receive 2 hours of graduate credit from St. Francis University, all four days must be attended. Professional Development Hours will be available for 7.5 hours each day (non-graduate credit).
On-site visits and presentations, as well as classroom appropriate lessons & activities relating to each topic, will be provided to each participant. Each day will begin at 8 am and we will be finished at 4 pm. We will send information about locations we will visit, starting locations, any required material (i.e. closed toe shoes, etc.) once we receive your payment for the course.
Presentations & visits are still being finalized for the week. Potential topics include:
- Natural Resources (Pollinators, Trees, Water, Soils)
- Animals (Equine, Incubation, Cattle, Pork, Fiber)
- Technology (Virtual Reality, Drones)
- Energy (Solar, Wind, Nuclear)
Apply what you learn in new and unique classroom lessons for easy integration into YOUR curriculum.
The sessions provide elementary and secondary teachers a better understanding of the complexity, scope, and scale of Illinois agriculture, its impact on each person's life and on the economy of Illinois and the nation.
The course fee is $125. Current Farm Bureau members will receive $20 off the course fee. Graduate credit hours will cost an additional $100/hour. Graduate course enrollment and payment information will sent to those participants who indicate graduate credit. For more information about the course, contact Sheryl at [email protected] or call the Rock Island County Farm Bureau at (309) 736-7432.
Please send your payment to the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation, 1601 52nd Ave, Suite 3, Moline, IL 61265 prior to June 5.
Cancellation/Refund policy: Cancellations/refunds will not be available after June 15. If the course is cancelled due to low enrollment, we will contact you about a refund.
If you indicated graduate credit on your registration, we will send you details regarding payment, forms, etc.
2020 SAI Registration
Previous SAI Activities
2019 SAI
Ten Quad City Area teachers spent a week of their summer vacation taking a five-day graduate credit course offered through the Rock Island County Agriculture Literacy Coalition. Teachers spent their days touring Whitey’s Ice Cream production facility, John Deere Harvester Works, Niabi Zoo, Brockmann Timbers, Nahant Marsh, Modern Woodman Park, Excelon-Cordova Fish Hatchery, Silver Bell Hollow Farm, DeClercq Farms, Reason’s Prairie Pride Meats, Quad City Botanical Center, and Bent River Brewery in Rock Island. Additional speakers throughout the week included: Illinois Soybean Association, Nutrients for Life, Illinois Beef Producers, Midwest Dairy, Illinois Corn Association, Steve Bush (Bush Seeding & Turf), and Laura Vollmer (Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom). Summer Ag Institute participants get a first-hand look at area businesses and companies in order to learn more about how each company or business relates back to agriculture. Participants are also presented with information and demonstrations so that they can take their thoughts and ideas back to their classrooms to share with their students. Teachers who complete the class and the required assignments, including a class review, reflective journal, and grade-appropriate lesson plan are eligible to receive two grad credits from University of Saint Francis or 30 professional development hours from the Rock Island Regional Office of Education. For more information contact Sheryl Solomonson, agriculture literacy coordinator, at 309-736-7432 or at [email protected].