On May 22, 2008, AgrowKnowledge the National Center for Agriscience & Technology Education received additional funds from the National Science Foundation (NSF) totaling $1,600,000. This funding will support the AgrowKnowledge Resource Center, effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2012. This is exciting news!

 

As a Resource Center, AgrowKnowledge is to form a self-sustaining national alliance of two-year colleges working in collaboration with leaders in technical education (colleges, universities, businesses, industries, government agencies, and professional organizations) to prepare a quality 21st century technical workforce that drives the most efficient and sustainable food and fiber production in the world.

 

Additionally, AgrowKnowledge is to become a sustainable national membership organization, the only national advocacy organization representing post-secondary needs and capabilities in agricultural, food, and natural resources (AFNR) technology. What are the benefits of being a member? Here are a few that have been identified:

 

 

Everyone who registered and attended our May 2008 conference in Cedar Rapids became a charter member of the AgrowKnowledge organization. We are looking for more members. Membership in AgrowKnowledge is $70 per year. Help us build the AgrowKnowledge membership by joining and then by telling others about the organization and its benefits.

 

The next four years will be a challenging but exciting time as the new NSF funding allows AgrowKnowledge to build on the successes and the lessons learned the past seven years. We can continue creating a nationally recognized organization for enhancing two-year, postsecondary education in agriculture food and natural resources. AgrowKnowledge plans to lead in the preparation of teachers and students in the use of agricultural technology.

 

Rick Parker, PhD

AgrowKnowledge Director

319-721-0957

rick.parker@agrowknow.org

Cedar Rapids, IA

June 6, 2008

 

As AgrowKnowledge concludes one phase as a national center and enters the new phase of becoming a national resource center, we honor two individuals as our first recipients of the AgrowKnowledge Educator of Vision award.

 

Jerry Bolton, Dean of Agri-Science, Kirkwood Community College. Without the vision and direction of Jerry, AgrowKnowledge would not exist. As a leader with a vision he helped obtain the first National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. His vision of leadership encourages other to clarify their own vision and reach beyond themselves for the greater good of an organization. He clearly sees the potential in an idea and in the individual behind the idea. He knows when to “step in” and when to “step aside.” Over the years Jerry has also supported AgrowKnowledge by attending many of the events. Jerry is well-known and respected in postsecondary agricultural education. AgrowKnowledge honors him as the first recipient of the AgrowKnowledge Educator of Vision.

 

Dr. Larry Case, Coordinator of Agricultural and Rural Education, U.S. Department of Education, is truly a man of vision. Larry’s past experiences and network of contacts provide a vision that encompasses more that most can relate to in agricultural education. He paved the way for developing relationships and connecting organizations which have extended the reach of AgrowKnowledge. He always challenges AgrowKnowledge to see our potential as the only organization representing post-secondary needs and capabilities in agricultural, food, and natural resources (AFNR) technology. We are privileged that Larry serves on the AgrowKnowledge National Visiting Committee where his vision continually guides the work of AgrowKnowledge. He applauds our strengths and helps us remain focused in our mission. Besides his committee service Dr. Case always supports AgrowKnowledge events with his attendance and words of encouragement. AgrowKnowledge appreciates his passion, vision and willing leadership. We honor him as an AgrowKnowledge Educator of Vision.

 

Both recipients received their award at the recent AgrowKnowledge national conference held in Cedar Rapids, IA, May 29 – 30, 2008

 

Each year AgrowKnowledge will recognize and honor individuals with the AgrowKnowledge Educator of Vision award. Nomination forms for this award will be distributed to the membership in the fall and awards will be made in May.

 

For more information contact: Dr. Rick Parker, AgrowKnowledge Director, 319-721-0957 or rick.parker@agrowknow.org.

Recently the Biotechnology Team worked with the staff at AgrowKnowledge to plan the national conference. Our team arranged two Bio Rad workshops (pGLO Transformation and GMO Detection), a real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) demonstration and Diamond V’s demonstration of a fistulated cow. The PCR demonstration was arranged with help of Bill Budke (Ventura College), the chair Environment, Natural Resources and Security team. I extend my appreciation to all who help make the AgrowKnowledge conference a success.

 

This summer we plan to offer two Biotechnology faculty development workshops. The first will be at Redlands College in El Reno, OK on July 23^rd - 25^th, 2008. The second one will at the School of Science and Technology, Universidad del Este in Carolina, Puerto Rico (TBA). While these are national faculty development workshops we will also be involving individuals who would like to become AgrowKnowledge certified trainers for agricultural biotechnology workshops. Both workshops will focus on the level two curriculum.

 

Anyone interested in serving on the AgrowKnowledge Biotechnology team or anyone interested in becoming a certified trainer should contact me.

 

Barry Pate, PhD

College of Southern Idaho

Agricultural Biotechnology Team Chair

AgrowKnowledge is accepting proposals for 2008-2009 Faculty Development Grants Your proposal should fit in one of three categories, a workshop: (1) that integrates math, science, and/ critical thinking skills into a new or existing agricultural course, (2) to develop agricultural instructional materials that reflect the use of technology, and/or (3) a collaborative that aligns with the AgrowKnowledge initiatives and involves a secondary school, university, or another community college. For more information and an electronic application contact Rick Parker at 1-319-721-0957 or email at rickparker@agrowknow.org.

 

AgrowKnowledge is accepting proposals for 2008-2009 Technology Grants Your proposal should fit in one of three categories, a project: (1) that integrates math, science, and/ critical thinking skills into a new or existing agricultural course, (2) to develop agricultural instructional materials that reflect the use of technology, and/or (3) a collaborative that aligns with the AgrowKnowledge initiatives and involves a secondary school, university, or another community college. For more information and an electronic application contact Rick Parker at 1-319-721-0957 or email at rickparker@agrowknow.org

AgrowKnowledge and CCID (Community Colleges for International Development, Inc.; www.ccid.cc) invite you to join them in the international faculty and student exchange opportunities with Denmark, focused mainly on agriculture and farming. We are working with Dalum Agriculture College located in Odense, Denmark, to begin the exchange with a short (10-14 day) study tour/ professional development program for the college faculty and staff to be scheduled either in the fall 2008 or early spring 2008. This would be a great opportunity for faculty and staff in agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) to familiarize themselves with the farming and agricultural systems in Denmark, which is one of the largest hog producers in the world, as well as famous for its nationwide use of renewable energy (including biological sources).

 

Please contact Andrea Siebenmann, Program Manager at the CCID Office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, either by email: asieben@kirkwood.edu or by phone: 319.398.7183 should your college be interested in participating in the Danish exchange initiatives. We will put you on our distribution list about the upcoming events and activities. We look forward to hearing from you!

AgrowKnowledge is offering faculty development workshops for the summer 2008, designed for faculty members to enhance their skills.  Four national workshops and three regional workshops are currently scheduled and it is not too late to register to attend.

Biotechnology Level II July 23 to 25, 2008, at Redlands Community College, El Reno, Oklahoma

Alternative Energy August 6 to 8, 2008, at Southwest Wisconsin Technology College, Fennimore, Wisconsin  http://www.agrowknow.org/WOrkshops/WorkshopMain.php?CID=22

 

http://www.agrowknow.org/WOrkshops/WorkshopMain.php?CID=22

 

http://www.agrowknow.org/WOrkshops/WorkshopMain.php?CID=26

 

http://www.agrowknow.org/WOrkshops/WorkshopMain.php?CID=28

 

For details and registration, keep checking the AgrowKnowledge Web site (www.agrowknow.org).

Last fall AgrowKnowledge ran its first annual Photo Contest. We received over 300 photos that are available for anyone to use accessible through our website. Among the photos submitted,12 were selected to be featured in a full page spread in the 2008 AgrowKnowledge calendar. The winning photographers were awarded a $50 prize.. 

The time has come for the second annual AgrowKnowledge photo contest!  AgrowKnowledge second annual Photo Contest has started. The purpose of this photo contest is to select 12 photos that will be featured in our 2009 AgrowKnowledge calendar. The photos will also provide educators and students with a wide range of photography free of charge that otherwise may not be readily available for use. These images will be available through the AgrowKnowledge Web site (free registration required to access images) and allow photographers to showcase their work. The theme for the photo contest is “The Future of Agriculture” Participants can to submit up to 10 photos illustrating what they think best represents “The Future of Agriculture."

The top 12 photos selected will appear in the AgrowKnowledge 2009 calendar. Credit will be given to each of the photographers, their schools and their Web sites. These winners will also receive a cash prize of $50. Honorable mention photos will appear on the calendar as smaller images with credit given.

No purchase or entrance fee is required, but you must be a registered user of the AgrowKnowledge Web site (registration is free) to submit photographs. Contestants are allowed to submit up to 10 photos, but may only have one photo chosen as a top 12 photos. This photo contest is open to all faculty, staff and students of secondary and post-secondary schools. All photos must be received by October 15 to be eligible to win.

For more information and full contest rules visit the AgrowKnowledge Web site here:
www.agrowknow.org/photo/