Teachers can discover Alabama’s rich agricultural heritage, learn about the state’s largest industry, earn continuing education credits and talk to top farmers by attending a free summer program May 31-June 2 in Tuscaloosa.

Applications are being accepted from teachers and other education specialists through April 15 for the annual Alabama Ag In the Classroom (AITC) Summer institute. The institute is limited to 95 participants who will attend workshops and farm tours and receive hundreds of dollars in classroom resource materials.

“Our students often aren’t exposed to where their food comes from,” said Bobbie Bankston, a first-grade teacher who attended last year’s institute. “Now that I have curriculum materials, I can engage them in hands-on activities to educate them about the different aspects of this industry.”

The Alabama Farmers Federation sponsors AITC with funding primarily from the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation’s ag tag sales. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and state agriculture organizations also provide support. For more information or to apply visit Ag in the Classroom.