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Summer Agriculture Institute

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Experience Agriculture

Oregon Agricultural Education Foundation utilizes Summer Agriculture Institute (SAI) to introduce agriculture to teachers who have little or no agricultural experience. Upon completion of the Institute and its requirements, participants will receive 3 graduate-level credits through Oregon State University.

Requirements and Eligibility

  • Applicants must be a TSPC licensed classroom teacher in a current teaching role
  • Agricultural Science and Technology teachers are not eligible for SAI
  • Payment of enrollment fee, $800 total ($200 non-refundable
    deposit + $600 enrollment fee)
  • Applications are due May 31, 2025

West Session Dates: June 16-20, 2025 (Corvallis)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Summer Agriculture Institute (SAI) is a three-credit, week-long, graduate level class for K-12 educators with little or no background in agriculture offered through Oregon State University.
  • The goal of SAI is to help educators use agriculture as a context for teaching academic standards.
  • Current, factual, science-based information about agriculture is presented. Participants are provided with educational materials to incorporate agriculture into their curriculum.
  • SAI provides the first-hand opportunity for participants to learn how farmers and ranchers care for the land and water they use.
  • Teachers learn the procedures for ensuring consumers a safe food source.
  • They are exposed to the complexities of agricultural marketing and economics, both of which play an important role in agriculture today.
  • The participants gain first-hand experience with agriculture through tours of processing plants, farms, nurseries and businesses
  • K-12th grade teachers in Oregon who have little or no background in agriculture

West Session, Corvallis: Third week of June every summer

  • To increase your knowledge and understanding of agricultural issues and applications.
  • To gain information with the goal of helping people make well-informed decisions about agriculture.
  • Receive fun, engaging curriculum to utilize with students. 90% of the participants were using SAI materials five years after attending SAI.
  • Teachers indicated a very high rating for usability of materials received at SAI.
  • Each participant is responsible for a $800.00 registration fee (including a $200 non-refundable deposit). In exchange, Summer Agriculture Institute participants receive tuition for (3) graduate level credits, lodging, meals, transportation, classroom-ready curriculum and resources.