The Foundation

CD "History of New York Agriculture"!

The New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education, Inc. has a mission to provide New Yorkers factual insight about agriculture so they will make informed choices and decisions. The job is a big one, because knowingly or not, many individuals and groups share stories about food and agriculture that just aren't accurate. In many cases textbooks and educational resources carry outdated or inaccurate information.

As a major force of our economy in New York State, agriculture is our heritage and a key for many future opportunities. Career exploration, understanding and knowledge will help to insure that our consuming public is not "tricked" and that the stability of our economy is not jeopardized.

We now have available an interactive multimedia CD-ROM on the History of New York Agriculture for seventh grade teachers. A very sophisticated pre-programmed history software template, highly interactive and engaging with customized educational software, is used. This is an outstanding program that targets seventh grade students, fits the current standards and parallels the present manner of presentation.

The pedagogical model used in building the state agriculture history program is outstanding. The instructional design of the model really does make history come alive. A series of similar software programs teaching the history of United States agriculture for history teachers nationwide has been completed by USDA. As New York history is so rich in agriculture, we are pleased that our efforts are among the forerunners of those involved in development of this type of educational resource.

We have begun CD distribution to schools, for their 7th grade social studies teachers to utilize, via County Farm Bureaus when possible. This method of distribution supplies a local agricultural "link" as well as assurance that this tool reaches the teachers. In certain areas of New York we do not have this infrastructure available for distribution and will seek out assistance from others. The Foundation will be able to supply more than 7,500 teachers with this resource!

For more information contact:
New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education, Inc.
Sandra Prokop, Managing Director
800-342-4143