2026 NAAE Convention

2026 NAAE Convention

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1:45pm CST

Advancing Parliamentary Mastery Through Inquiry

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

Designed for experienced parliamentarians, this interactive workshop leverages robust question-and-answer dialogue to explore how inquiry and problem-based instructional approaches can deepen parliamentary understanding and elevate competitive and instructional performance. Instructional team includes professional parliamentarian and master educator who is a National Agriscience Ambassador.

Speakers

Daniel Foster

Associate Professor, The Pennsylvania State University

I am a passionate individual looking to make a positive difference in the world around me. 7th Generation Texan. I previously taught secondary agriculture in Willcox, Arizona and I am currently a faculty member at Penn State in Agricultural Teacher Education and co-founder of the... Read More →

Krista Pontius

Agricultural Educator, Greenwood School District, PA

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

Better Together: How to Co-Teach, Co-Advise, and Stay Sane in Multi-Teacher Programs

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

As agricultural education programs continue to grow, multi-teacher departments are becoming increasingly common. While these programs offer expanded opportunities for students, they also present unique challenges in communication, program management, and shared responsibilities. This workshop will provide practical strategies for building effective multi-teacher programs that enhance student success, strengthen program quality, and support teacher sustainability. Participants will explore real-world examples, proven systems, and collaborative structures that improve efficiency across classroom instruction, FFA advisement, and SAE supervision. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to implement immediately within their own programs.

Speakers

Matthew Barnhill

Agricultural Educator, Corinth Holders High School, NC

Ashley Holloman

Agricultural Educator, Corinth Holders High School, NC

Over the past 13 years, I have had the privilege of teaching Foundations of Agriculture and Animal Science at Corinth Holders High School. My passion lies in connecting students to agriculture and helping them realize its significant impact on their lives.Growing up without a direct... Read More →

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

Building Connections with School Administrators

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

Strong partnerships between agricultural education teacher educators and school administrators are essential for preparing highly qualified teachers and supporting successful school-based agricultural education programs. This interactive workshop will explore strategies for establishing, strengthening, and sustaining relationships with principals, district administrators, and career and technical education leaders. Participants will discuss approaches for identifying mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance clinical experiences, facilitate research collaborations, improve recruitment, and strengthen communication between universities and schools. Successful practices for engaging administrators throughout the teacher preparation process and creating partnerships that support both pre-service teacher development and school needs will be discussed.

Speakers

Tre Easterly

Assistant Professor, University of Florida

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

Churning up in AG Class!

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

It's butter! But so much more. From packaging design and recipes to butter making in class and taste testing, students will be able to follow the steps in creating a new food product. Learn how to make butter why incorporating it into your agriscience course.

Speakers

Sarah Mcnall

Agricultural Educator, Cienega High School, AZ

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

Creating the Conditions for Effective and Sustainable Work-Based Learning (SAE) Programs

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

As a result of the conditions created by policy changes brought forth by the Indiana State Board of Education, Indiana Pork developed and piloted a Work-Based Learning for Agriculture Program to help address labor shortage concerns expressed by Indiana pork producers and pork related industries. The pilot, based on data collected and analyzed through a partnership with Ascend Indiana, was implemented in Indiana Workforce Development Region 5 in eight counties. To see the data view additional resource document link, https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0y8tgy54g9lrqaicmq2ce/IndianaPork_WBLTacticalApproach.pdf?rlkey=t7r22xrethejgm01jfkph8dby&dl=0. Because the pilot program was a success, the program has now been moved state-wide. This approach by Indiana Pork has expanded the work-based learning opportunities throughout Indiana for high school students and re-invigorated the labor talent pipeline within the pork industry and has become a model for other industries to use. Go to https://www.indianapork.org/work-based-learning to view all the resources developed to date. This model serves as a model being used beyond agriculture in Indiana because of the resources created.

Speakers

Byron Ernest

Founder, Leadery Global

Chad Martin

Director of Strategic Outreach, Indiana Pork Producers Association

Haley Graf

Intern, Indiana Pork Producers Association

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

Cultivating Belonging: Diverse Histories and Shared Futures in Agriculture Education

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

Agriculture education should be a space where all students feel seen, valued, and connected. This interactive workshop explores the cultural history of agriculture education through a "where we've been, where we are, and where we're going" framework while highlighting Native American, African American, and Latino agricultural histories, contributions, and cultural practices. Whether you teach in a monocultural community, a highly multicultural one, or somewhere in between, this workshop offers practical strategies that can be adapted to your local context. Through a "touch, see, do" format, participants will engage with cultural materials, explore classroom-ready lesson ideas, and experience hands-on activities. Attendees will leave with resources, activity examples, and strategies for creating more inclusive and engaging agriculture learning environments.

Speakers

Taleek Harlee

Agricultural Educator, Purnell Swett High School, NC

Jasmine Locklear

Agriculture Education and Special Projects Coordinator, Tribal Agriculture Fellowship, ND

Amador Gonzales

CTE Instructor, Las Vegas City Schools, NM

Lori Hoppe

Agricultural Educator, Gardnier High School, MT

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

Curiosity Before Compliance: Creating Inquiry-Driven Agricultural Education Classrooms Students Want to Be In

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

Agricultural education is uniquely positioned to cultivate curiosity through hands-on learning, real-world problem solving, and authentic experiences. However, many classrooms still struggle with student engagement when learning becomes focused solely on compliance and task completion. This interactive workshop explores how inquiry-based learning can transform agricultural education classrooms by placing student questions at the center of instruction. Participants will engage in inquiry activities modeled after real agricultural scenarios from welding, horticulture, animal science, and agriscience classrooms. Attendees will leave with practical strategies, lesson structures, and resources they can implement immediately to increase engagement and ownership in student learning. Whether teaching middle school agriculture, animal science, horticulture, agricultural mechanics, or agriscience, participants will discover how curiosity can become the driving force behind meaningful learning experiences.

Speakers

Alan Parker

Agricultural Educator, Hagerman Municipal Schools, NM

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

Curiosity to Career-Ready: Igniting Inquiry in Ag Education

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

Transform your classroom into a space full of limitless learning and career success! This high energy, hands-on workshop will equip you with inquiry-based strategies that seamlessly integrate into any agricultural education pathway. Join us to learn how easy it can be to add inquiry-based instruction to any lesson. Strategies that this workshop will highlight include turning resume writing into a research-based exploration, transforming social media into a powerful marketing tool, and fostering strong communication skills through student-driven discovery. Walk away with these strategies and the skill to ignite curiosity and prepare your students for life beyond the classroom.

Speakers

Kaylee Stone

Agricultural Educator, Spanish Fork High School

Julie Branen

Agricultural Educator

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

Managing Your Chapter Smarter with AET Tools

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

Take your chapter organization and efficiency to the next level using powerful management tools within The AET. This workshop will focus on practical features such as the POA & Strategic Plan Manager, Meeting Manager, student participation point tracking, and QR code tools for quickly checking students into events and activities. Learn how to streamline chapter operations, improve student accountability, simplify record keeping, and create a more organized experience for advisors and members. Participants will walk away with ready-to-use strategies for managing meetings, tracking involvement, and supporting chapter success through AET.

Speakers

Roger Hanagriff

Owner, The AET

Howdy! I have spent the past 25 years helping programs track and promote educational experiences using both economic and learning outcomes, but in 2007, I partnered with a great team to develop an online system that is now used annually by over 800,000 students and 9,000 education... Read More →

Vanessa Kirby

Director of Support, The AET

Hi! I’m Vanessa Kirby, Director of Support for AET (Agricultural Experience Tracker), professional problem-solver, teacher cheerleader, and firm believer that record-keeping doesn’t have to be stressful! A big part of my job is working alongside agricultural educators to help... Read More →

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

National FFA Chapter Connect: How to Unite FFA Chapters, Strengthen Relationships, and Create Lasting, Collaborative Impact

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

National FFA Chapter Connect is a yearlong program that pairs chapters from different backgrounds, across the country, to build relationships, collaborate, and learn from one another through shared experiences. Discover how this initiative fosters meaningful connections while strengthening student leadership and advisor practice. This session will highlight the program's structure and core experiences, alongside a panel of advisors who participated in Chapter Connect and will share their learning and impact. Participants will explore practical ways to adapt program elements through local partnerships, virtual exchanges, or collaborative projects, to fit their own classrooms or programs. All participants will gain strategies for building inclusive environments, facilitating collaboration, and expanding student perspectives while strengthening their own instructional and leadership practices.

Speakers

Lloyd Daley-Graham

Staff Member, National FFA Organization

Seely Daniels

Agricultural Educator, Williston Basin School District #7

Riley Hintzsche

Agricultural Educator, Lasalle-Peru High School, IL

Jason Bullock

Agricultural Educator, Tacoma Public Schools

Ag Teacher by Choice; TEACH THEM WELL!; NC State (‘04, ‘08, ‘23); Teacher; Singer! Share your story! Speak your truth! Protect your peace! #diversity #inclusion #equity #belonging

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

Orange You Excited for Surgery?! - A Low Cost and Lab-Based Approach to Using Veterinary Equipment in the Classroom

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

Content Specific (please specify what content area)

Speakers

Jacob Blank

Agricultural Educator, School of the Osage, MO

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

1:45pm CST

When Pigs Fly! Introducing Inquiry to Middle or High School Students

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST

TBA

Can pigs really fly? Maybe. More importantly, can your students think critically to solve challenges? Absolutely, if you attend this workshop. Join us as we share a memorable way to “launch” inquiry for your middle school and/or high school students. This fun, exciting, and classroom-ready inquiry activity will immediately capture your student’s attention. In this interactive workshop, take flight and explore how one simple challenge can introduce inquiry, experimentation, exploration, and critical thinking from day one. Leave with ideas to build excitement and establish a culture of curiosity in your classroom.

Speakers

Cameron Frazier

Agricultural Educator, South Putnam MS/ HS

Jared Parks

Agricultural Educator

Thursday December 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

3:15pm CST

Barriers and Resources for Teaching Precision Agriculture for High School Teachers

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST

TBA

Do you want to incorporate precision agriculture curriculum but don't know where to start? Join us for a conversation about careers, skills, and curriculum for teaching precision agriculture. We will discuss research on barriers to precision agriculture adoption and how to work with local specialists to bring hands-on learning to students. We will also share our pilot precision agriculture curriculum.

Speakers

John Tummons

Associate Professor, University of Missouri

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

3:15pm CST

Building Administrator Capacity to Strengthen Agricultural Education Programs

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST

TBA

This session is based on a successful administrator-focused workshop delivered during the Montana Agricultural Education Administrator Track. Designed to build awareness and capacity among school leaders, this model provides a structured approach to helping administrators better understand and support agricultural education programs. The session also highlights how intentional engagement with administrators can lead to stronger programs, improved teacher retention, and increased student success.

Speakers

Shannon Boswell

Director of Career, Technical and Adult Education, Montana Office of Public Instruction

A career and technical education professional for 21 years. Starting as an agricultural education teacher for 13 years and spending the past eight years at the Montana Office of Public Instruction in Career, Technical and Adult Education.

Carl D. Perkins federal funding
State... Read More →

Eric Tilleman

Agricultural Education Specialist, Montana Office of Public Instruction

I’m Eric Tilleman, an Agriculture Education Specialist with the Montana Office of Public Instruction and a longtime agriculture educator and advocate for Career and Technical Education. I’m passionate about connecting education, agriculture, business, and communities to create... Read More →

Abbey Dunn

Agricultural Educator, Baker Public Schools, MT

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

3:15pm CST

Canning and Culinary Chemistry

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST

TBA

This interactive canning workshop equips agriculture teachers with practical food preservation knowledge they can immediately implement in the classroom. Participants will discover canning techniques while exploring how food preservation supports intracurricular instruction through science, math, literacy, business, and career readiness standards. Highlights include strategies for integrating canning into curriculum. Attendees will leave with lesson ideas, resource materials, and implementation strategies adaptable for middle and high school programs.

Speakers

Jessica Ross

Agricultural Educator, Hendersonville High School, TN

I’m blessed to be a wife, mom, and ag teacher! I’ve been married for 6 years and have a 2 year old daughter. They are my why! My cup is filled by all things family, DIY projects, and curling up with a good book! Food preservation and “homesteading” are my passion projects... Read More →

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

3:15pm CST

Chapter Level Degrees andAawards in AET - Discovery, Greenhand, and Chapter Degrees

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST

TBA

This workshop provides a step-by-step walkthrough of managing chapter-level degrees and awards within AET. Participants will learn how to track student progress, verify requirements, and submit Discovery, Greenhand, and Chapter Degree applications directly through the platform all culminating in the automatic generation of banquet award certificates for your members! Whether you're new to AET or looking to streamline your current process, this session will help ensure your students receive the recognition they've earned.

Speakers

Roger Hanagriff

Owner, The AET

Howdy! I have spent the past 25 years helping programs track and promote educational experiences using both economic and learning outcomes, but in 2007, I partnered with a great team to develop an online system that is now used annually by over 800,000 students and 9,000 education... Read More →

Ben Meyer

State Resource Specialist, The AET

Supporting CTE teachers and states with efficient, usable SAE and WBL record keeping that is student led and easy for educators.

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

3:15pm CST

Defining Success to Save Your Career, Your Sanity, and Your Program

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST

TBA

Somewhere along the way, the pressure to "win" has shifted our focus, leading many Ag teachers to believe that state rankings and blue banners are the only true measures of professional and program worth. Is this the only type of success? This hands-on strategy session is for any teacher, especially 1st - 5th year teachers, who feels the pressure of the "make or break" culture many Ag programs seem to have. Using recent research, we will name these unspoken pressures and define what success means for your Ag Program. Participants will leave with a new outlook on the meaning of success, and have created personal tools to build their high-impact program without losing themselves in the process!

Speakers

Gwen Heimerdinger

Agricultural Educator, Winnebago High School, IL

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

3:15pm CST

SHOW WHAT YOU GROW - "Telling Your Ag Programs Story"

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST

TBA

As Agricultural Educators, we spend our days growing the future — cultivating plants, raising livestock, and developing the next generation of leaders. But somewhere between the lesson plans, contests, practices, and late nights, many of us forget to showcase the incredible impact we're making every single day. It's time to change that. Join us for an engaging, high-energy workshop where we'll build powerful personal education statements, learn how to confidently navigate the ever-changing world of social media, and tackle the "imposter syndrome" that keeps too many educators from sharing their story. You are doing incredible work — and your students, community, and profession deserve to see it. Walk away with practical tools, fresh confidence, and a clear strategy to proudly "SHOW WHAT YOU GROW" in your classroom, your FFA program, and your community.

Speakers

Cade Fiske

Agricultural Educator, Mission Valley USD, KS

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

3:15pm CST

Tacos, Teachers, & T-Shirts-Using Ag Communication Tools to Market Ag Education

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST

TBA

Creating an understanding of the depth and breadth of agriculture can be challenging and sometimes an uphill battle. Learn how a small, fun, and interactive idea can change the trajectory of how colleagues and students view ag, ag education, and the impact it has on your community.

Speakers

Riley Hintzsche

Agricultural Educator, Lasalle-Peru High School, IL

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

3:15pm CST

Using Trailer Fabrication and Scaling to Include All Students in Ag Mechanics

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST

TBA

This workshop will discuss building three trailers. One full size, one a 1/4 scale, and one a 1/8 scale. Attendees will be shown how scaling projects can be applied through many different builds and how all students can be involved in some way. Let's be honest, some students tend to take over projects. With this lesson, classroom management skills and skill assessment will be practiced so that all students play a meaningful part, and all projects are finished with quality.

Speakers

Trevor Higgins

Agricultural Educator, Cannon County High School, TN

Thursday December 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:45pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Ag Teachers on the Go: Plans That Hold It Together

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Ag Teachers do not normally have the luxury of a "normal" day out of the classroom - between FFA Events, Field Trips, or Professional Development, being gone is a part of the job. This session will focus on creating practical, low-stress substitute plans that actually work through your entire program. Walk away with ready-to-use templates, adaptable activities and strategies for setting expectations so that substitutes can confidently manage your classroom.

Speakers

Bailey Hawbaker

Agricultural Educator, Stanley Public Schools, ND

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Beyond the Bouquet: Creative Teaching & Assessment Strategies for Floral Design Classrooms

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Floral design courses blend creativity, technical skill, and career readiness, but evaluating student work can be challenging. This workshop will share practical strategies for assessing floral design projects using industry-based rubrics, Career Development Event materials, digital portfolios, and technology tools. Participants will explore ways to incorporate photo documentation, student reflection, and authentic assessment practices that support both learning and professional skill development. Attendees will leave with classroom-ready ideas, sample rubrics, and technology resources that help improve grading consistency, student ownership, and portfolio development in floral design classrooms.

Speakers

Amy Morrison

Agricultural Educator, Mount Vernon High School, WA

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Connecting Dots in Career Exploration

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Looking to connect the dots between classroom and industry? Learn about engaging strategies, interactive tools, and exciting activities for career readiness and industry knowledge. From the first step in understanding the careers that exist to exploring the path best suited, you will leave with leave with everything you need to help guide students in connecting the dots in their career exploration journey.

Speakers

Megan McGrady

Manager, Education Development, National FFA Organization

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Farm, Fork, and Forensics: Multi-disciplinary CTE Instruction

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Discover how CTE can bring multiple disciplines together through engaging, real-world learning experiences. This session explores innovative strategies that merge agriculture, culinary arts, criminal justice and critical thinking through immersive, problem-based learning. Classroom activities may include conducting mock food safety investigations, analyzing nutrition labels, tracing ingredients through the supply chain, creating farm-to-table meal plans, analyzing varieties of apples and their history, classification of fruit and vegetables, identifying and making cheese varieties and hands on safety training and hunters certification. Students can work collaboratively to solve problems, collect and interpret evidence, and present their findings. This session explores innovative strategies that connect agriculture, culinary arts and critical thinking through hands-on projects and problem-based learning. Participants will learn how we engage students in various topics that cross curricular disciplines and build excitement and school community.

Speakers

Jason Griffith

Agricultural Educator, Ionia County Career Center, MI

I have been an agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor in Ionia for 32 years. I will be presenting on cross-curricular programming and how we have used collaboration between programs at ICCC to increase the depth and relevance of our lessons.Over the past year, we have also... Read More →

Elena Brooks

Culinary Arts Instructor, Ionia County Career Center, MI

I am a Culinary Arts instructor at the Ionia County Career Center. I will be presenting on cross-curricular programming and how collaboration among programs at ICCC has increased the depth and relevance of our lessons. Over the past year, I have also been exploring the use of artificial... Read More →

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

From Classroom to Career: Helping Agriculture Students Navigate Postsecondary Education AND Workforce Pathways

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Agricultural educators play a critical role in helping students navigate what happens after high school graduation: apprenticeships, technical college, community college, four-year college, career entry, military, and workforce opportunities. Drawing on recent research examining agricultural education participation and postsecondary success in rural communities, this session explores practical strategies for strengthening postsecondary readiness through agricultural education. Participants will examine how agricultural education serves as a bridge between high school and postsecondary pathways. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for advising students, promoting multiple postsecondary options, building local partnerships, and helping students connect their agricultural education experiences to future educational and career goals.

Speakers

Chaney Mosley

Associate Professor, Middle Tennessee State University

Karen Eppley

Director of the Rural Education Center and an Associate Professor, Kansas State University

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Greenhouse Enterprise: From Students to Employees. Tips for running your greenhouse program like a small business.

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Running a classroom while running a greenhouse is HARD. Turning your greenhouse classroom into an employment-style environment gives students ownership, incentivizes manual labor, and allows students to take on management roles (thus giving you time to run sale logistics).

Speakers

Hailey Gates

Agricultural Educator, Hendersonville High School, TN

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Growing More Than Plants: Hands-On Hydroponics in the Ag Classroom

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Hydroponics doesn't have to be expensive to make a big impact in the classroom. This workshop will showcase how low-cost hydroponic systems can transform agricultural education into a hands-on, engaging learning experience for students. Participants will explore affordable setup ideas, simple classroom systems, student-led activities, and practical management strategies that make hydroponics realistic for any program. Through real classroom examples and interactive learning ideas, teachers will leave with ready-to-use strategies that connect agriculture, science, sustainability, and student engagement in meaningful and exciting ways.

Speakers

Joanna Keaton Carter

Agricultural Educator, Vista Middle School, NM

Sydney Linberg

Agricultural Educator, Zia Middle School, NM

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Teaching to Bloom Experiential Floral Design in Horticulture

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Looking to expand your horticulture program beyond traditional greenhouse management? This workshop will showcase an experiential floral subscription program where students move from learning floral design to applying them through real world applications. Workshop participants will gain insight into project logistics, budgeting, and creating meaningful experiences that connect students with their community.

Speakers

Gracie Norris

Agricultural Educator, Oologah-Talala Public Schools, OK

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Visuals, Voice, and Vocabulary: Teaching Strategies for ELL Students

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Agricultural education classrooms are rich with hands-on learning, technical vocabulary, and real-world applications—but for English Language Learners (ELLs), these experiences can also present unique challenges. This workshop equips agricultural educators with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to make content more accessible and engaging for all students. Participants will explore techniques such as QSSA (Question, Signal, Stem, Share), the use of visuals and pictures, structured student talk, and vocabulary scaffolding to support language development while maintaining rigorous agricultural content. Through interactive activities and real classroom examples, educators will leave with tools they can immediately apply to improve comprehension, participation, and confidence among ELL students in their programs.

Speakers

Whitney Evans

Agricultural Educator, Seneca High School, KY

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Who's Living Rent-Free? The Art of Identifying Parasites

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

Teaching veterinary science requires that agriculture teachers be able to introduce their students to a wide range of topics, such as animal CPR and parasite identification. Due to limited training within agricultural teacher education programs, teaching parasite identification in an engaging manner often remains a challenge for agriculture teachers. This workshop is designed to help agriculture teachers tackle that challenge. During this hands-on workshop, participants will be equipped to teach introductory-level parasite identification practices and principles to their students. The workshop presenters will guide participants through the fundamentals of parasite identification and help them develop fun, engaging approaches to teaching animal parasite identification to their students. The workshop presenters will also discuss further veterinary science-focused professional development offerings for agriculture teachers.

Speakers

Trent Wells

Associate Professor, Murray State University, KY

Hazel Duckworth

Murray State University, KY

Kaylyn Zeigler

Murray State University, KY

Jacee McKeel

Murray State University, KY

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Wildlife Detectives: Bringing Wildlife Biology into your Ag Classroom

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST

TBA

A farmer reports wildlife damage. Who did it? CSI: Wildlife invites students to become wildlife detectives in an engaging, hands-on learning experience. What animal damaged the soybean field? What predator visited the coop? Students will investigate a wildlife mystery using tracks, skulls, fur, feeding evidence, habitat clues, and trail camera photos to identify species and uncover the culprits behind the damage.Whether you teach natural resources, agriscience, or animal science, you will leave inspired with fresh ideas to spark curiosity, promote critical thinking, and bring wildlife biology to life for your students.

Speakers

Melanie Block

Agricultural Educator, Ravenna Public Schools

Ag Teacher | FFA Advisor | 4-H leader | Trevor & Peyton's Mom | Cancer Survivor

Thursday December 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

Professional Development