NACTA Newsletter - February 2025 (Standard)

February 2025 (Standard)

NACTA President Cheryl Wachenheim's Message
NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar
NACTA 2025 Conference Tour Information
New NACTA Members
Renew Your NACTA Membership

NACTA Roundup with President Cheryl Wachenheim

Greetings!

By now we have settled into courses for the term, getting to know new students and having heard about winter break activities from returning students and colleagues. Teacher recognition and abstract deadlines have passed, and we have enjoyed our first of the series of five Experiential Learning Webinars. 

Other than the annual NACTA Conference and the NACTA Judging Conference, NACTA members most often gather via videoconferencing, where it is not uncommon to begin the discussion with topics about which we share commonalities, such as the beginning of the term and being in the midst of grading final exams. I learn the most about colleagues when we turn in discussion towards topics about which our experiences are divergent, such as the weather and, especially for me, the reaction of our localities to that the weather which is unusual or unexpected. 

As we interact within our organization, it occurs to me that there is so much to learn from one another because of our differences. Our membership represents a very broad range of individuals, colleges, and locations, among many other attributes. I challenge you to get to know one of two members each month from other schools, whether through a committee meeting, a regional activity, or simply reaching out because you read their article or teaching tip in the NACTA Journal or attended the same webinar. We are always learning!

Enjoy February.

Cheryl

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NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar

NACTA is excited to welcome Dr. Meghan Sindelar, of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, as the second presenter for the NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar! Sindelar's presentation is titled "How Do We Assess our Experiential Learning?" and will take place for the second session of the webinar series at 1:00 PM EST Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Megan Sindelar, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

In this session, Dr. Sindelar will explore different methods for assessing experiential learning outcomes, including rubrics, self-assessments, group work, peer assessment, and portfolio assessment.

For more information on the NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar Series, click here.

To register for the series, click here.

Keep an eye on your inbox for further updates and information about the 2025 NACTA Experiential Learning Webinar Series!

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NACTA 2025 Conference Tour Information

North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) is pleased to announce information regarding the available tours at the upcoming NACTA Conference, June 2-6, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada!

Alberta Food Processing Centre/Rig Hand Distillery
Part 1: Overview of Alberta Food Centre programs and services
Part 2: Walking Tour

Elk Island Backstage Bison and Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Bison Backstage is the exclusive, behind the scenes look at bison conservation at Elk Island. Visitors will be led through the Plains Bison Handling Facility and along the way will learn about the history of bison, how they affect the prairie landscape around them, and how parks staff herd these magnificent wild animals through the world-class plains bison handling facility as a tool to connect visitors to Canada’s bison story and Parks Canada’s ongoing role in bison conservation efforts.

The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village Society was founded in 1971 to develop a heritage village commemorating the settlement of east central Alberta by Ukrainians. Soon after, the Society bought the present site and began relocating buildings there from farms and towns of east central Alberta. The Province of Alberta acquired the site in 1975, and continues to interpret the major theme of “Early Ukrainian Settlement in East Central Alberta to 1930.” Since that time, more than 40 buildings have been moved to the UCHV where they have been researched, restored, and furnished to their early 20th century appearance. The museum also has a multi-purpose visitor centre with exhibit gallery spaces to provide a closer understanding of early Ukrainian settlement in east central Alberta.

Indigenous Teaching Experience
A conversation with a Native Elder or Traditional Knowledge Keeper- about food, land, survival, and agriculture that would rooted in cultural knowledge, respect for the environment, and the interconnections between native peoples and Mother Earth .

University of Alberta Botanic Garden
The garden is located 15 minutes from Edmonton. It has 80 cultivated acres, over 4000 plant species and three indoor show houses. Participants will undertake a guided tour through the gardens. See where lush and diverse landscapes blend seamlessly with rich cultural and educational experiences. Wander through cultural gardens — like the Kurimoto Japanese Garden and Aga Khan Garden — or let curiosity lead you through our collections. View thousands of plant species or take in an event designed to awaken the senses. A visit to the Garden will rekindle your connection with nature and rejuvenate your spirit - in any season.

Vermeer's Dairy/Detention Brewery
Vermeer’s Dairy is a 700 cow dairy south east of Camrose, Alberta which milks predominately Holstein cows. In addition to the dairy, they crop approximately 2,500 acres and are one the only farms in Alberta to harvest high moisture corn.

Detention Brewing is a craft brewery located in the former school in Rosalind, a village with a population of approximately 180 people. In addition to brewing some great beers they host a wide variety of community events from Beers and Blooms (flower arranging) to Crokicurl.

Warburg Hutterite Colony
Warburg colony is a member of Dariusleut sect of hutterites. They live communally and are intensive agriculture innovators. They grow crops, have cattle, layers, a green house, meat processing plant and a store. For biosecurity reasons, participants of this tour will not be able to enter into animal housing facilities. This colony considers their colony to be a university for their kids to learn many different trades and job opportunities right here on their farm.

Keep an eye on your inbox for further updates and information about the NACTA 2025 Conference, including registration opening, speakers, more tour information, and more!

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New NACTA Members

NACTA has 33 new members since our last newsletter. We hope you will join us in welcoming them!

Southern
Daniel Hirmas, TX
Jessie Fernandez, FL
Elaine Mason, FL
Grace Ogden, TX
Ranjith Ramanathan, OK
Kati Migliaccio, FL
Lameace Hussain, FL
Suzanna Browning, FL
Christopher Clemons, AL
Vinicius Alvez Cruz
Caroline Barnett, FL
Kyleigh Hilburn, FL
Jessica Switzer, FL
Cassandra Goff, FL
Amethyst Merchant, FL
Tyler Foote, GA
Grace Carapezza, FL
Allyson Fleischer, FL
Shannon Phillips, NC
Noah Jewell, OK
Laura Fischer, TX

Eastern
Jennifer Koehl, PA
Kendrick Spencer, VA
Kimberly Tarvis, NY
Abigail Cheng, VA
Cara Lawson, OH

Central
Dan Hoge, IL
Bo Garcia, NE
Jason Bergtold, KS
Gaea Hock, KS
Christian Stephenson, NE

Western
Ryan Spurling, UT
Courtney Berghoff, UT

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Renew Your NACTA Membership

NACTA is the largest professional development organization that focuses specifically on the scholarship of teaching and learning in agriculture, food and natural resources. Need to renew your membership? Want to invite a colleague to join? Want to change your membership status? Visit the membership page here. We appreciate your NACTA membership!

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