Texas Farm Bureau Turns the Ranch into a Classroom for New Ag Educators

A collaborative effort between Texas Farm Bureau's education and youth outreach teams highlights production agriculture in all facets of ag science courses for early-career agriculture science teachers. The program was created to address the lack of opportunities and knowledge newer ag science teachers have to connect classroom lessons with modern farming and ranching practices.

The Ranch as a Classroom

Geared toward ag education teachers with less than five years' experience, the Early Ag Teacher Professional Development (EATPD) program is a two-day, hands-on learning event led by Texas Farm Bureau, university faculty and industry partners.

For example, during the 2025 workshop, a Tarleton State University professor illustrated the farm gate to plate process by demonstrating a beef carcass breakdown.

The group also visited a Hereford cattle ranch to learn about technology used for cattle identification, pregnancy checks and overall herd health monitoring - an experience that could not be replicated in a traditional conference center. In addition, the host rancher explained about the threat the New World screwworm poses to both the cattle industry and consumers.

At the completion of the program, held once per year, teachers earn Texas Education Agency-recognized continuing professional education credits and receive a resource bag filled with microscopes, Texas Farm Bureau education materials and National Agriculture in the Classroom store resources.

A Lesson on Texas Farm Bureau

While the program's focus is on farming, participating teachers also learn about Texas Farm Bureau. Since many of them do not come from agricultural backgrounds, EATPD is often the first time they're hearing about the programs, resources and benefits Texas Farm Bureau offers.

In addition, the experience equips educators to further Texas Farm Bureau's mission of being voices for Texas agriculture in their classrooms. Participation in the program also helps the teachers grow their professional networks through the connections they make with farmers and ranchers, industry partners and county Farm Bureau leaders.

New Horizon Award

Texas Farm Bureau's Early Ag Teacher Professional Development program earned the organization a 2026 New Horizon Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The award, which honors state Farm Bureaus with the most innovative new programs, is presented annually at the AFBF Convention.