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Summer Agriculture Institute

Experience Agriculture

A project of the Oregon Farm Bureau Foundation for Education, the Summer Agriculture Institute (SAI) is a three-credit, week-long, graduate-level class through Oregon State University that educates K-12 teachers with little or no background in agriculture. Teachers earn three graduate credits and the enrollment cost is a mere $600.

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 (or theme) for teaching academic standards (science, math, social studies, etc.).
  • Current, factual, scientific information about agriculture is presented. Participants are provided with educational materials to incorporate agriculture into their curriculum.
  • SAI shows 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.
    The highlight of the week is an overnight stay on a working farm or ranch where the teacher has an opportunity to meet and work with agriculturists.
  • K-12th grade teachers in Oregon who have little or no background in agriculture

West Session, Corvallis: June 21-26, 2020

East Session, Union/La Grande: July  12-17, 2020

  • To increases your knowledge and understanding of important agricultural issues and applications.
  • To gain information that will contribute to the goal of helping people make well-informed decisions about agriculture.
  • Materials are extremely effective. 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 $600.00 registration fee which is to be submitted with the SAI application. In exchange, Summer Agriculture Institute participants receive tuition for (3) graduate level credits, hotel accommodations, meals, transportation, classroom-ready curriculum and resources.