Help with the Literacy Project

Farmers, ranchers, and agriculturalists are needed each year to volunteer to make classroom visits as part of CoAITC's annual Literacy Project. This volunteer guest reader experience includes visiting classrooms (in-person or virtually), reading a book, completing an activity with students, answering questions, and talking about your connection to agriculture. CoAITC provides the book, supplies for student activities, a program guide, and an instructional video to help prepare you for the visit. All volunteers receive a free copy of that year's Literacy Project book as a small token of our appreciation.

Be a Guest Speaker

From time to time, CoAITC staff receives requests from educators for subject matter experts to be a guest speaker in their classrooms. The topic, length of visit, grade level, class size, and schedule varies per request. Visits may be in-person or virtual. CoAITC maintains a list of industry subject matter experts who are willing to be volunteer guest speakers in PreK-12 grade classrooms across the state. When a teacher requests a guest speaker, CoAITC staff will connect the teacher to the appropriate guest speaker to schedule the visit and discuss details. If you'd like to be added to the list of potential guest speakers, please complete the CoAITC Volunteer Form above.

Give a Presentation

CoAITC participates in several community youth water festivals and ag day events across the state. These festivals and events are typically 1-2 days with 15-25 minute rotating sessions for a specific age group of students from a school, district, or region. CoAITC has several presentations already prepared for these events and will train volunteers on the presentations. Complete the CoAITC Volunteer Form above if you'd like to help with one of these presentations. And if you would like to request a CoAITC presentation at a festival or ag day event in your community, please email us.

Host a Teacher Tour

As part of CoAITC's professional development events, teachers tour various farms, ranches, and food and agriculture production facilities. Tours can be part of our multi-day Summer AgriCULTURE Institutes or other half- and full-day professional development courses for PreK-12 grade formal and informal educators. Tours are typically for 12-30 people and can range from 1-3 hours, depending on the site and host.

Serve on a Committee

Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom has 6 active committees. These committees are made up of directors, advisors, staff, and other individuals who serve as ex-officio members. Becoming a committee member is a great way to get involved with CoAITC! Typically, committees meet in the week or two leading up to each CoAITC quarterly board meeting, with additional meetings held as needed. Committee meetings are usually held virtually.

The 6 CoAITC committees are:

• Fundraising/Financial Committee
• Classroom Education Committee
• Professional Development Committee
• Governance Committee
• Awards and Educator Opportunities
• Communications and Outreach

Apply to be a Director or Advisor

If you have a passion for agricultural literacy and want to make a lasting impact on the lives of students and teachers by promoting the importance of agriculture in Colorado's classrooms, consider joining Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom as a member of the board of directors or advisory board. Director and advisory board members attend joint quarterly meetings, serve on the organization's 6 committees, assist in the planning and implementation of Agriculture in the Classroom programs and activities, and participate in fundraising. All directors and advisors serve voluntarily. There are 3 to 9 members that serve three-year terms on the board of directors and up to 12 advisory board members. The annual application and selection process is held during the summer.