Join our Foundation and help the Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Fair - members receive a bi-monthly newsletter, invitation to events and annual meeting. They also have an opportunity to network with others interested in agricultural literacy. Southern California Agriculture and Nutrition Foundation (SCAN) Tax ID # 95-3723190. See below for "Ways to Support the Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Program."

Schools'Agriculture and Nutrition Program School Presentations - Help others to learn about our fair. Call our office to schedule a presentation at your school or district office. Spread the word about our program to teachers and administrators.

Save-the-date: Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Fair "Fields of Nutrition," April 22 through April 26, 2009 at the Pomona Fairplex, Building 3.

Purpose of the Fair: the fair is an agricultural educational fair featuring thousands of individual and classroom entries from hundreds of schools in the greater Los Angeles basin. Exhibits/projects include art, photography, beneficial insects and worms, birdhouses, crafts, horticulture, hydroponics, mission models, paintings, posters, quilts, quilt blocks, sawhorses, scarecrows, school garden projects,science projects, terrariums and trout-in-the-classroom projects.

The event attracts students, families, educators, and community members to celebrate the achievements of local students (pre-K through high school) and teachers, and to educate the attendees about the importance of agriculture and nutrition to California.

Save the date: 5th Teacher Recognition Day, Saturday, October 25, 2008, Cal Poly Pomona AGRIscapes

Our fourth Teacher Recognition Day was held Saturday, November 3, 2007 at AGRIscapes, Cal Poly Pomona. Event included awards, luncheon, resources, workshops and speakers. Keynote speaker was Yvonne Savio, Common Ground Garden Program Manager, University of California Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County, who spoke on "School Gardening Resources ...". In addition, Stephen Chambers, Executive Director, Western Fairs Association spoke on "The Relationship Between Fairs and Education."

The 5th Community Spotlight Extravaganza at the Fair, was held May 16, 2007, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., at the Fairplex in Pomona. The keynote speaker was Tim Alderson, California School Garden Network (CSGN).

Effective July 1, 2007, we changed our Fair name from Schools' Involvement Fair to Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Fair and our program name from Schools' Involvement Program to Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Program. Our official name remains the 48th District Agricultural Association.

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Ways to Support the Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Program:

Join our Foundation and help the Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Fair - members receive a bi-monthly newsletter, invitation to events and annual meeting. They also have an opportunity to network with others interested in agricultural literacy. Southern California Agriculture and Nutrition Foundation (SCAN) Tax ID # 95-3723190. Call for information about membership 909.468.4433.

Join the Albertsons/Sav-On Drugs Community Partners Program. Eligible purchases on your Preferred Savings Card will result in a cash donation - of up to 4% - to our program. All donations will support student program supplies. Just go to www.albertsons.com, click on "In The Community", then click on Community Partners logo link, then click on "Sign me up". Be sure to provide our ID #: 49001009834.You may also call Albertsons at (877) 932-7948 or call our office. Your participation in this program will be appreciated.

Make a cash or in-kind donation or volunteer your time. Call the office to discuss how you would like to help.

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Office Hours: June through September - Monday through Friday; October through May - Tuesday through Friday (closed Monday), 8:00 am - 4:30 pm., and Saturday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, closed for lunch 12:00 - 1:00 pm.

Teacher Resource Center: June through September - same hours as the office hours; October through May - Wednesday through Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. It's always a good idea to let us know when you plan to visit by calling (909) 468-4433. Please arrive by 4:00 pm.

Careers in Agriculture web sites:

Kid's Science Page at the National Agricultural Library gives information on carreers in science from agriculture to zoology: www.nalusda.gov/ttic/nalsci/careers.htm

Sources of information for careers in the science of food, agriculture and the enviornment: www.cast-science.org/careers.htm

AgJobsUSA, a nationwide computerized employment system that matches employee interests with agriculutral employers needs: www.agjobsusa.com/

Search for an Ag career: www.ag-biz.com/main.asp

Post your resume, view jobs and access other career resources: www.agricareers.com/

Credits: California Foundation For Agriculture in the Classroom

July is:

National Grilling Month

National Hot Dog Month

National Blueberries Month

July 1 Louis Bleriot Birth Date, 1872 – This aviation pioneer was the first man to fly an airplane across the English Channel (July 25, 1909). How did his contribution, and the contributions of other aviation pioneers, affect the development of aviation support of agriculture?

4 Independence Day, 1776 – What favorite agricultural traditions do you have on this special day? Watermelon? Hamburgers? Root Beer Floats? Office closed.

6 Anniversary of First Successful Antirabies Inoculation, 1885 – Louis Pasteur gave the first successful antirabies inoculation to a boy who had been bitten by an infected dog.

7 National Farrier’s Week – Salute the people who keep horses shod and equine feet and legs in top-notch condition.

10 Don’t Step on a Bee Day – Besides the fact that it won’t feel good, bees are important in the production of many food items. Save the bees!

15 National Ice Cream Day – Make some ice cream from scratch. See its direct connection to agriculture.

22 Gregor Johann Mendel Birth Date, 1822- Mendel is known as the pioneer of genetics. His research was on peas but certainly impacts all agricultural commodities today.

28 Beatrix Potter Birth Date, 1866 – Potter is known for her love of animals and her story The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Check out curriculum A Garden Plot: A Tale of Peter Rabbit for grades K-1.

School Field Trip Ideas

• Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Fair - call office at (909) 468-4433 to sign up.
• Homestead Museum in the City of Industry. Visit www.homesteadmuseum.org.
• Hurst Ranch in West Covina provides students with the opportunity to experience farm life from the pioneer past. Students will be able to make butter; grind coffee, pump water, and much more. Visit www.hurstranch.com for details.
• Farm Tour at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. Sac) provides students with the chance to spend an hour with unique farm animals at no cost (although donations would be appreciated). Call 909.594.5611 ext. 4540 for more details.
• Wildlife Sanctuary Tour at Mt. Sac focuses on the wonders of nature, exploring water and land ecosystems, studying plant and animal habitats, and observation of lake, pond, swamp and stream environment on a first-hand basis.There is no cost - a donation would be appreciated. Please call (909) 594.5611 ext. 4794 for more information.
• Santa Fe Dam Nature Center and Trail. Please call the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy (626) 335-1771 for information or go to http://www.sgmrc.org