Join us this summer at the Growing Minds Conference! This two-day professional development experience on July 27th-28th will bring together K-12 educators to explore creative ways to incorporate plants, animals, food, and agriculture into your classroom. Minnesota teachers who attend will receive 16 CEUs.
About the Conference
Organized by the Minnesota and Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Programs, this conference aims to provide immersive learning experiences, promote collaboration between educators and agriculture professionals, and provide inspiration to integrate agricultural topics into the classroom.
The conference will include interactive breakout sessions where you can discover hands-on ways to incorporate agriculture into your curriculum. Fast-paced mini sessions led by Minnesota and Wisconsin educators will also help you learn to build agriculture literacy with students. Throughout the conference, you will have many opportunities to network with your fellow educators to foster deeper connections through a passion for teaching.
Featured Tours
When registering, you will be able to choose from a selection of agricultural tours. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at working farms, interact with different plants and animals, and meet the innovators who are driving agricultural growth and development.
- Seeds, Science and Beef: Explore Syngenta’s research facilities to experience the science backing agricultural development through plant breeding, genetics, and crop resiliency. Next, travel to Cannon Valley Ranch to see how the Waugh family raises beef cattle and learn about their commitments to sustainability.
- America’s Dairy and Berry Land: See the behind-the-scenes of how dairy products are made into cheese and ice cream at the UW-River Falls Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence dairy processing plant. Also enjoy a tour of White Pine Berry Farm and see how they grow berries, run a summer camp, and operate a farm-to-consumer business.
- Learning from Place - Land Stewardship and Food Systems at Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC): Organized by the Minnesota Humanities Center, this experience guides educators through a tour of the Wozupi Tribal Gardens and a bison tour led by SMSC Natural Resources. Gain insight to community-centered agriculture, ecological stewardship, and the cultural significance of bison.
- Behind the Scenes with Gertens: The long-time, family-owned garden center operated by Gertens will open its doors for conference attendees to see how they provide the Twin Cities with seasonal plants and decorations. Interact with the production team, learn the STEM knowledge and techniques required to raise their plants, and build community with a locally owned greenhouse.
- Learning from Place at HmongTown Marketplace: Organized by the Minnesota Humanities Center, visit this vibrant marketplace with over 125 small businesses and food vendors. Enjoy a guided tour to learn about Hmong culture, history, and entrepreneurship, and explore how community-rooted markets serve as centers of culture and connection.
Registration details
Registration is now open for this summer experience! Click here to register.
When registering, choose 1 ticket for 1 person. Your ticket includes admittance to the conference, one tour, and breakfast and lunch for both days.
Optional t-shirts are also available for an additional $15. Two designs are available, one for Minnesota and one for Wisconsin. Just select your design and size at the bottom of the conference registration page.
The Growing Minds Conference is an amazing opportunity that’s bringing together educators and agriculture specialists through real-world experiences that will foster new ideas on how you can inspire students. We can’t wait to see you there!
