Tour Showcases Southeast Arizona Agriculture to Teachers
TIFFANY SELCHOW, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MARKETING AND CONSUMER OUTREACH | March 28, 2024
AAI 2.0 Recap Report
Tour of Cochise County, Arizona
In February, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Agricultural Literacy program and the Arizona Foundation for Agricultural Literacy held the second Arizona Agricultural Institute 2.0, touring agriculture in Cochise County, Arizona. Teachers were able to see the unique agricultural landscape that Cochise County has to offer! They started their first day touring Golden Rule Vineyard, Curry Farm, Coronado Dairy, and ending the day at Bonita Bean. The next day, they toured the NatureSweet facility and Tirrito Farm, then participated in a mock livestock auction at the Willcox Livestock Auction. The teachers ended the institute by touring the Cattlemen’s Processing Facility (bringing it all full circle!).
The Rotation of Future AAI 2.0 Locations
While AAI 1.0 will remain focused on agricultural production in Maricopa County, the new AAI 2.0 program will revolve around the state to showcase the many different and unique agricultural regions that Arizona has to offer. Learn more here.
Impact
Twelve teachers from 5 of Arizona's 15 counties, who teach over 2,690 students annually, attended AAI 2.0 this year. Pre and post-surveys were conducted to measure the teacher's change in knowledge in 7 areas: familiarity with viticulture and greenhouse production and their perception of the beef and dairy industry. In all areas, an increase in knowledge occurred as well as an increase in positive perception of the beef and dairy industries.
Teacher Testimonials
The teachers raved about the tour and had the following things to say:
All the tours and speakers were unique and a wealth of information in their field of expertise. It was a well-rounded and diverse view of parts of agriculture I had not really thought about before. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and appreciate being chosen to attend!
This was a phenomenal experience to spark understanding and connections.
Everyone was so welcoming, and that the ag community is very close. It really is a way of life.
There’re a lot of things that we saw and heard that touched my heart and I want to share just a bit of that passion every one of these places have for what they do.
Realizing that as an AG teacher and a person in the AG industry there are so many people who will work with you and support your interest and passion for learning and teaching the next generation.
To learn more about the Arizona Agricultural Institutes and the Arizona Foundation for Agricultural Literacy, visit here.