The Classroom Agriculture Program (CAP) is a non-profit initiative that teaches grade four students the importance of agriculture in their daily lives. CAP began in 1985 and since that time more than 550,000 students have participated in the program. CAP is about the food we eat and where it comes from. The program explains the value and importance of agriculture in Alberta. CAP also highlights the vast opportunities in agriculture and the people, producers and industries that drive this trade.

CAP volunteers go directly into classrooms to discuss farming and agriculture with grade four students. The volunteers all have unique presentations because each volunteer focuses on their own specialty, whether it be animals, crops or the environment. In the end they share a common message – that agriculture plays a very important role in our daily lives and in Alberta’s economy. This network of volunteers delivers the program between February and June of each year.

Presentations are one hour long and include story-telling, hands-on props and fun activities. CAP provides training, resources, ideas and guidance to all volunteers. Last year over 14,000 students registered for CAP. Each classroom that registers receives a package including an activity booklet and stickers for each student, and a teacher kit with follow-up learning resources. The activity booklets are directed at the grade four curriculum and include fun facts and games on commodities in Alberta.

Presentations are delivered based on volunteer availability. Typically it will take new volunteers about five hours to deliver their first CAP presentation, this includes training, preparation and the one hour in the classroom. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call 403-710-1959 or email capcoordinator@albertabeef.org

CAP is dedicated to preserving and promoting agriculture. This initiative is supported by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

CAP is a not for profit organization and is provided free of charge to grade four classes across Alberta. This is possible thanks to membership support. CAP is a multi-commodity initiative supported by the Alberta Barley Commission, Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Canola Producers Commission, Alberta Chicken Producers, Alberta Egg Producers, Alberta Institute of Agrology, Alberta Irrigation Projects Association, Alberta Pulse Growers Commission, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, Eastern Irrigation District, Olds College, Taber Irrigation District and Agrium.

New this year, look for the CAP website launching in early October. You can check it out at www.classroomagriculture.com