Education Committee

Educating the Public about Agriculture

TCFB’s Education Committee is dedicated to informing the public about the importance of agriculture to the well being of our society, and conveys their message to students, teachers, and the public through various programs, curriculum, events, and outreach during the year. The committee is comprised of Farm Bureau members, teachers (both current and retired educators), school nutrition experts, county office of education staff, and volunteers from partnering ag literacy and nutrition programs.

The Education Committee’s efforts are funded through the TCFB Education and Scholarship charitable fund, established in 1988. The committee annually awards numerous school grants, hosts plant giveaways in partnership with the College of the Sequoias Ag Farm, assists teachers and students with agricultural literacy programs, coordinates the TCFB Art Calendar Contest, the CFAITC Imagine this… Writing Contest, and an annual Superintendents’ Breakfast. The committee also works in partnership with College of the Sequoias, the Tulare County Office of Education and the UCCE.

Annual Calendar Art Contest

The Tulare County Farm Bureau is seeking entries for its annual K-12 grade calendar art contest. All schools are encouraged to submit agriculturally themed artwork depicting agricultural scenes from throughout Tulare County.

This year the contest must receive all submissions by:
February 15, annual deadline.

Submit to the TCFB Office at 737 N. Ben Maddox Way, Visalia, CA 93292.

Grants to fund Ag Literacy!

The Education Committee offers grants and supplies up to $500 per project per year to schools launching or hosting school gardens or agricultural in the classroom efforts, along with resources to help incorporate a garden into your school’s curriculum. Call (559) 732-8301 for more information or visit our Application Forms section from the Main Menu. All Farm Bureau applications for new or renewing school grants are due November 1 annually.

Student's may Earn their FFA Jacket!

In 2012 the Committee launched a new charitable program to award deserving youths enrolled in high school agriculture programs with FFA Jackets. Students who may come from a disadvantaged background, or have other circumstances that have prevented them from owning their own FFA jacket may apply for the Blue Jacket award. Applications are available from area agricultural departments or the Farm Bureau office, students should check with their local FFA Chapter for information. Applications are due annually in October.

Professional Statewide Resources for Teachers... from our State Foundation

The committee also works in concert with the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom , a statewide non-profit 501(c)3 foundation established by the California Farm Bureau Federation. Through this educational program, the Farm Bureau is able to bring agriculture’s message to school children through informative and interactive demonstrations, tours, classroom curriculum, teacher conferences, symposiums, and other educational activities.

Useful Links

Learn more about agricultural education and link to other ag literacy web sites at:

California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom

Network for a Healthy California

Local Partners

Partners provide career speakers, scholarship opportunities and curriculum resources.