Beef Farmers of Ontario Champion Food Literacy by Working with AgScape in Developing New Educational Resource

AgScape, an Ontario charity dedicated to bringing food & agriculture resources and programs to teachers across Ontario, has announced the completion of a new Teacher’s Guide – ‘An Exploration of Beed Farming in Ontario’, created through a partnership with Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO)

Just in time for Ontario Agriculture Week, educators can access the guide by requesting a special Digital Teacher Resource developed specifically for Ontario Agriculture Week 2021  – complete with curriculum-linked lesson plans and materials. Digital Teacher Resource Package Registration form (https://forms.gle/ShjdNKJ3Csvb5Wu36).

Ontario is a province overflowing with fresh, locally grown, high-quality food and products, and from October 4 to 10, we will be celebrating the abundance of food our farmers produce, the hard-working people the agri-food industry employs, the rural communities we support and the economic engine we fuel. Teachers who register for the Digital Resource Package will be eligible to receive a Discovery Kit while supplies last.

“Ontario Teachers can use the new Teacher’s Guide ‘An Exploration of Beef Farming in Ontario’ to bring factual information about Ontario Beef Farming into the classroom“

“Critical thinking is such an important skill for students to develop. We are so happy to have this resource available as it provides accurate information about beef and beef farming,” says Jennifer Kyle, Manager of Public Engagement & Digital Strategy with Beef Farmers of Ontario. “Being able to offer this information in a format that is designed for use in a classroom setting will provide the opportunity for students to be presented with factual information and use that information to make more informed decisions when it comes to what they put on their plate.”

Helping to build an Ontario that is food literate and understands modern farming benefits everyone. Students learn about innovative and in-demand career opportunities they might never consider otherwise, and they also become informed citizens who understand the importance of supporting farmers and fostering Ontario’s agriculture and food sector.

Food Literacy empowers so many aspects of our lives– from making confident nutritional choices to having a better appreciation for the scientific advancements that have built the modern world. Youths also gain an understanding of the steps modern farmers take to ensure food production fits within Canada’s goals toward environmental stewardship.

AgScape recognizes the innovations and advancements in agriculture, including beef farming. “As a registered Ontario Teacher, it was important to me that this Teacher’s guide embodied those advancements by creating lessons plans that show how coding, math, and design can play an important role in understanding nutrition, and the health and wellbeing of beef cattle,” says Mercedes Unwin, Program & Resource Manager with AgScape.

“There is a great story to tell when it comes to beef as it relates to the environment, animal care, human nutrition, and careers within the sector, but it’s not one that is often told, particularly in the media,” says Kyle. “We are really excited to have this new resource as it provides an opportunity to bring important and accurate information about our industry to teachers and their students who will ultimately become our customers and workforce down the road.”

The launch of this Teacher’s Guide marks the fourth new resource developed by AgScape this year, with Teacher’s Guides about Ontario Dry Bean Farming, Egg Farming, and Ontario Pork having launched earlier in 2021 and another about Ontario Genomics coming soon.

“Working with the AgScape team to develop this resource was a great experience,” says Kyle. “The team was very knowledgeable and made the process so easy and efficient. We are very happy with the finished product and are excited to make this resource available this fall.”