Soak Up Summer Break, Prep for Fall: 5 Easy Ways to Bring Ag into Your Classroom

Summer break is here for Alberta Teachers— and you’ve earned every minute of rest, reset, and sunshine. But we also know that for many teachers, ideas for the next school year tend to sneak in between road trips, iced coffees, and afternoons in the garden.

If you’re starting to think about how to make learning more engaging, real-world, and relevant this fall — agriculture education might be your answer.

Here are five easy, low-effort teaching tips to prepare now (without cutting into your well-deserved break), so you’re ready to bring Ag in the Classroom to life come fall.

1. Bookmark a Few Go-To Resources

You don’t have to start from scratch. Our Ag for Life resource library includes curriculum-connected lesson plans, activity kits, videos, and printables for K–12 — all focused on food systems, sustainability, climate, and careers.

Summer Tip: Save 2–3 resources now that align with your fall themes (science, social studies, or health), and you’ll be ahead of the game come September.

2. Sign Up for a Fall Teacher PD Session

We offer Teacher PD sessions year-round, designed to inspire and equip you to bring ag topics into your teaching — with confidence and creativity.

Summer Tip: Register for an upcoming session before spots fill up, or join our email list to be the first to hear when new sessions launch.

3. Follow a Farmer (and Our Facebook Page!)

Want to make agriculture more real for your students? Start by following a local farmer, ag scientist, or food producer on social media. It’s a great way to collect fresh content, photos, and stories to bring into your classroom.

Summer Tip: Screenshot or save 2–3 posts that spark your interest — they might become next fall’s best conversation starters!

4. Plan One Outdoor Learning Moment

You don’t need a school farm to bring agriculture to life. A single activity — planting seeds, observing pollinators, or mapping where food comes from — can connect students to nature and food systems.

Summer Tip: Brainstorm one place-based ag activity now and keep it simple. You’ll thank yourself later when the fall gets busy.

5. Rest. Recharge. Reimagine.

Sometimes the best prep is simply reconnecting with your own love of nature, food, and community. Read a book about food culture, cook with fresh ingredients, visit a farmer’s market, or explore local landscapes. Let your own curiosity lead — that’s where the best teaching ideas are born.

Summer Tip: Keep a notes app or journal nearby. You never know when a relaxing moment turns into a brilliant teaching spark.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to overhaul your curriculum or give up your summer to bring agriculture into your classroom. A few intentional steps now can lead to richer, more meaningful learning this fall — for you and your students.

Ready to start? Explore our website to discover our free resources.

Here’s to a restful summer and an ag-citing year ahead.