TEACHING RESPECT FOR THE LAND
“When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect,” observed Aldo Leopold more than 50 years ago. Conservation Agricultural Partnership Foundation (CAP) builds on Leopold’s observation using as their theme: Teaching children to respect the land. CAP has taken up the challenge of teaching a new generation of Stephenson County students about respecting the land and earth’s natural resources.
CAP is a unique organization in Stephenson County, Illinois that is a partnership between local schools, the agricultural community, local conservation groups, and government agencies. On June 7th CAP will hold its tenth annual meeting at the Farm Bureau building. Following a dinner, the program will review recent activities and discuss future plans. Under By-Laws specific for the organization, ten board members from many different sponsoring agencies conduct the business of the Foundation.
One tireless education coordinator, Martha Ebbesmeyer, works with materials from the Farm Bureau, University of Illinois Extension, the Department of Agriculture, and other programs to help children understand the importance of agriculture and conservation. Each year the coordinator works with over 130 local teachers and approximately 3,000 students to supplement classroom curriculum.
The 19 agencies sponsoring CAP believe that educating our teachers and students is one of the first steps in understanding the importance of maintaining and improving our rich natural resources. The more teachers understand, the easier it is for them to pass on this knowledge for future generations.
The program is more than classroom visits. CAP offers a central collection of educational materials and resources for students and teachers that focus on agriculture and the environment. Field trips are planned for students as well as hands-on activities, guest speakers, and career exploration. For teachers, CAP offers 66 continuing education credits, over 25 classroom resource kits, lesson plans, presentations, and guest speakers, in-service training, and a monthly newsletter with suggestions and encouragement.
The CAP Foundation is a non-profit organization that depends on local contributions. This allows local school districts to enhance their educational offerings without spending valuable tax dollars.
You can support this Stephenson County education effort with goods, services, or a tax-deductible contribution (under the IRS 501 c 3 tax code). To find out how you can assist CAP check out their website: www.capeducation.org; inquire with email: cap@il.usda.gov; or call 815-233-3219. Contributions in any amount may be mailed to CAP Foundation, Inc., 1620 S. Galena Ave., Freeport, IL 61032.
Della Moen, Earth Team Volunteer, NRCS/Stephenson Soil and Water Conservation District, an equal opportunity provider and employer, 06/01/11 (for publication on 06/04/11 in the Journal Standard, Freeport, Illinois) Della can be reached at info@stephensonswcd.org
TEACHING RESPECT FOR THE LAND
“When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect,” observed Aldo Leopold more than 50 years ago. Conservation Agricultural Partnership Foundation (CAP) builds on Leopold’s observation using as their theme: Teaching children to respect the land. CAP has taken up the challenge of teaching a new generation of Stephenson County students about respecting the land and earth’s natural resources.
CAP is a unique organization in Stephenson County, Illinois that is a partnership between local schools, the agricultural community, local conservation groups, and government agencies. On June 7th CAP will hold its tenth annual meeting at the Farm Bureau building. Following a dinner, the program will review recent activities and discuss future plans. Under By-Laws specific for the organization, ten board members from many different sponsoring agencies conduct the business of the Foundation.
One tireless education coordinator, Martha Ebbesmeyer, works with materials from the Farm Bureau, University of Illinois Extension, the Department of Agriculture, and other programs to help children understand the importance of agriculture and conservation. Each year the coordinator works with over 130 local teachers and approximately 3,000 students to supplement classroom curriculum.
The 19 agencies sponsoring CAP believe that educating our teachers and students is one of the first steps in understanding the importance of maintaining and improving our rich natural resources. The more teachers understand, the easier it is for them to pass on this knowledge for future generations.
The program is more than classroom visits. CAP offers a central collection of educational materials and resources for students and teachers that focus on agriculture and the environment. Field trips are planned for students as well as hands-on activities, guest speakers, and career exploration. For teachers, CAP offers 66 continuing education credits, over 25 classroom resource kits, lesson plans, presentations, and guest speakers, in-service training, and a monthly newsletter with suggestions and encouragement.
The CAP Foundation is a non-profit organization that depends on local contributions. This allows local school districts to enhance their educational offerings without spending valuable tax dollars.
You can support this Stephenson County education effort with goods, services, or a tax-deductible contribution (under the IRS 501 c 3 tax code). To find out how you can assist CAP check out their website: www.capeducation.org; inquire with email: cap@il.usda.gov; or call 815-233-3219. Contributions in any amount may be mailed to CAP Foundation, Inc., 1620 S. Galena Ave., Freeport, IL 61032.
Della Moen, Earth Team Volunteer, NRCS/Stephenson Soil and Water Conservation District, an equal opportunity provider and employer, 06/01/11 (for publication on 06/04/11 in the Journal Standard, Freeport, Illinois) Della can be reached at info@stephensonswcd.org