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Columbus Public School District (CPS) teachers were given a day for professional development Sept. 17, and they had many courses to choose from, including a guided tour of Farm Science Review (FSR) by OFBF’s Promotion and Education team and organization directors. Nearly 60 teachers, almost all science instructors, came to FSR to learn about modern farming practices.

"This was the first time their professional development day fell during Farm Science Review, and we thought it would be a great way to incorporate the best of modern agriculture with Ohio’s science standards for testing. Now 11^th-grade students have the option of choosing environmental science instead of the usual chemistry classes, and much of the displays at Farm Science Review relate to that," said Pat Petzel, OFBF director of promotion and education. "I think we also opened their eyes to the career opportunities available to their students in agriculture. Often times careers in agriculture are not highlighted at college fairs."

Some of the tour stops included viewing modern equipment for planting, harvesting and tilling; pesticide education; Gwynne Conservation Area displays; and field demonstrations. Throughout the day, the teachers were given materials and resources that could be used in the classroom.

Judy Roush, OFBF’s education specialist, said many of the teachers were surprised to see the equipment and learn that farmers don’t plow the "old fashioned" way. "I think besides being taken aback about the size and scope of FSR and the machinery, they were most surprised to learn how much business and technology go into modern farming," Roush said. "In most cases, they had never seen a combine actually at work."

CPS’s Science Coordinator Jeanette Lee said the teachers were astonished by the technology, conservation efforts and the environmental safety aspects that are involved in today's farming techniques. "The teachers were able to see how agricultural content is aligned to the curriculum and how it can be presented to students in the classroom. The teacher evaluations indicated that the professional development opportunity at the Farm Science Review was one of the best and most relevant experiences of the day," she said.

Caption: A group of Columbus Public School District teachers listens to a representative from ODNR before exploring the displays at the Gwynne Conservation Area.