Welcome to Class
The “Welcome to Class” Agriculture Educators Podcast is available for education professionals to get tips and information, think about best teaching practices, and find resources that are available from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Watch our new Season 3 Welcome to Class Podcast Trailer! Seasons 1 and 2 written and hosted by Carli Erickson, Crop Science Youth Education Coordinator for the Integrated Pest Management Program at Iowa State University. On this page you will find links to resources that are mentioned in the podcasts. Season 3 episodes by Rachel Reicks. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Maya Hayslett at hayslett@iastate.edu.
"Welcome to Class" Podcast is available on most podcast platforms.
Jacob Hunter, Ag Ed teacher from North Scott, and Caitlyn Engelbrecht, high school student, talk about their involvement in the Ag Innovators Experience: Water Connects Us All program. This program provides opportunties for teen leadership and education about water quality.
Hear from the leader of Iowa 4-H and the executive director of Iowa FFA about the goals of these youth serving organizations, benefits for youth, and how the programs are complimentary and can work together to support youth.
Carli gets the details from Lynne Campbell about the 2020 Ag Innovators Experience called “Water Connects US All”. We talk about why our waterways are struggling, and what we can all do to help!
Iowa State University Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering
Carli also speaks with Assistant Teaching Professor Kate Gilbert who has years of industry experience with processing and packaging. Kate also shares ideas about consumer involvement and the direction we are headed with more transparency.
From Kate Gilbert:
50 Years Ago, Sugar Industry Quietly Paid Scientists To Point Blame At Fat
America’s Eating Habits: Food Away From Home
The Counter - it used to be the New Food Economy. The journalists there do a fantastic job covering aspects of the food system that we wonder about but don't often hear.
Reducing Wasted Food At Home - there are many good references about food waste. The EPA website is a good starting place & includes what consumers can do at home to reduce food waste.
Healthy Soils Are The Basis for Healthy Food Production
The Great Nutrient Collapse -This is a fascinating article about how increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are changing the composition of plants and foods (and not for the better).
Carli talks soil science and global foods with Professor Amber Anderson who specializes in agronomy from Iowa State University. We talk about why soil is the key to delivering nutrients to crops in order to have healthy food for everyone.
From Amber Anderson:
Carli weighs the options about alternative crops with Warren Pierson, field manager at Iowa State University’s Field Extension Education Lab. Warren shares his experience with growing crops we don’t normally consider.
Iowa State University Extension Store: Pasture Management Guide for Livestock Producers
Recognizing Challenges to Iowa’s Annual Cropping Systems
From Warren Pierson:
Integrated Crop Management ISU
Integrated Pest Management ISU
Iowa State University Research Farm Reports
Iowa State University Extension Store: Crops
Carli speaks with 2017-2018 National FFA secretary Erica Baier about her experiences as an Ag leader. We also speak with 4-H Global Citizenship Intern Katelin Pagel to talk about how to implement global citizenship in your life and community.
Carli interviews Kelsey Fisher, a graduate student at Iowa State University, talks about the importance of pollinators! She specializes in entomology, specifically studying and conducting research on monarch butterflies.
Integrated Pest Management ISU
From Kelsey Fisher:
Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium
Carli speaks with Meaghan Anderson about the importance of weed management. Meaghan is a self proclaimed “weed nerd” who is passionate about helping farmers and landowners keep weed out and crop yields high.
Integrated Pest Management ISU
Integrated Crop Management ISU - up-to-date information on Iowa crop management, including information about weed management and herbicide resistance
From Meaghan Anderson:
Iowa State University: 2020 Herbicide Guide for Iowa Corn and Soybean Production - Every year Iowa State University weed scientists produce the Herbicide Guide for Iowa Crop Production, which is a good resource for better management of herbicides
Take Action Pesticide Resistance Management - this website has information on managing weed, insect, and pathogen resistance in row crops
Take Action Herbicide Classification Chart
GROW IWM - A weed science collaboration to share research-based resources and information on herbicide resistance and non-herbicide management tactics
Carli digs deep into the importance of having a greenhouse and the opportunities it can provide for students. She says greenhouses offer student led learning, school based enterprise SAE’s, community partners, and mentorship.
Integrated Pest Management ISU
FFA: SAE for All
Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic
Updated Greenhouse Pest Management Manual
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach- Agriculture and Natural Resources (Crops and Soil)