Agricultural is the foundation of our society and the most important economic
industry in California. Production agriculture along with its support industries of
agriculture marketing, business, research, communications, and education constitutes $100
billion annually into the state’s economy.
Most Americans know very little about the social and economic significance of
agriculture or its important links to human health and environmental quality. The lack of
knowledge influence forces that seriously challenge American agriculture and education.
These forces include changing demographics, urbanization, and lifestyle changes; rapid
increases in world-wide agricultural production needs; domestic farm and trade policies;
and global competition in high technology industries. The application of knowledge
available through use of sophisticated computers and technology such as digital equipment,
and biotechnological techniques can be modified by the agricultural awareness of the
general public.
Without question, these forces have had a dramatic impact on California agriculture,
and society in general. To knowledgeably address the forces as adults, students needs to
understand the role that agriculture plays in our state and nation’s economies, and
to appreciate the wide variety of employment opportunities that exist in this industry.
While California’s education focus is on achievement of high content standards, there
are ways in which public schools can strengthen the students understanding of agriculture
and its fundamental importance to society. Math, reading, science, history, and social
science are just a few of the areas of the curriculum where connections can be made.
The statewide comprehensive program of agricultural literacy and awareness provides
state level coordination and regional delivery of all aspects of agriculture education to
infuse agricultural topics and information into a broad range of academic subject areas.
Agricultural literacy and awareness supports a strong career preparation program that not
only meets the needs of a dynamic and competitive agricultural industry in California, but
also prepares a citizenry attuned to the health and economic importance of a very
productive industry.
In the first year of coordination the Department will seek to:
- Identify and work with programs within the California Department
of Education that naturally support agriculture awareness such as the "Garden in
Every School Project" of the Nutrition Education and Training Unit.
- Coordinate agricultural literacy, awareness and career education efforts between the
CDE, industry and all other prospective partners.
- Provide web-site information and other user-friendly means for disseminating appropriate
educational materials to districts and teachers.
- Work with education and industry partners to develop Agricultural Literacy and Awareness
Implementation Guides.
- Establish a content review process to ensure that objective, age appropriate materials
are available for classroom use.
- Develop pilot projects for regional delivery of literacy and awareness information
focusing on urban centers that do not traditionally have access to these materials.
- Provide the critical, visible, linkage between industry and education partners in an
effort to more efficiently and effectively utilize public and private resources.
