NAAE: USDA TEACH

July 2006

Twelve educators of agriculture and science recently took part in the USDA TEACH program held June 17 - July 1 in Mexico. TEACH which stands for Teaching Educators Agriculture and Conservation Holistically exposed educators to a variety of agricultural practices in Mexico. Participants traveled through the areas of Mexico City, Toluca, Morelia, Texcoco, and Huatusco.

Participants in the 2006 excursion included:

Throughout the two week travel period, participants were exposed to a wide array of agricultural practices. Participants toured traditional street markets in Metepec, allowing them to compare and contrast Mexican markets with traditional markets in their respective communities.

Whie in Toluca participants were exposed to PICTIPAPA, the Programa Internacional Cooperativo del Tizón Tardío de la Papa, which stands for the International Cooperative Program for Potato Late Blight. Participants were exposed to hand planting practices in potatos, as well as transplanting.

TEACH participants were exposed to both agricultural practices and the culture while in Mexico. Whether touring local markets or visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids, participants were able to gain an understanding and appreciation for the practices of the Mexican population.

Plant tissue culting transers kept participants engaged and helped build and understanding of the research being conducted at the Agricultural University of Chapingo.

Tours of tropical crops such as ornamentals, sugarcane and coffee promoted the belief in a hands-on learning environment. A demonstration by Fernando Carlos Gomez Merino showed TEACH participants the skillful art of floral design.

The TEACH expedition began with tours of local markets and ended with a guided tour of Mercado de Abastos, the largest wholesale market in Latin America. Though the culture, agricultural practices and way of life differ from that which we know here in the states, important lessons were learned through the Mexico expedition.





				Agricultural Educators Participate in the 2006 USDA TEACH Excursion in Mexico July 2006 Twelve educators of agriculture and science recently took part in the USDA TEACH program held June 17 - July 1 in Mexico. TEACH which stands for Teaching Educators Agriculture and Conservation Holistically exposed educators to a variety of agricultural practices in Mexico. Participants traveled through the areas of Mexico City, Toluca, Morelia, Texcoco, and Huatusco. Participants in the 2006 excursion included: Leonides Alvarez, Science Department Chair at Doral Middle School in Doral, Florida Jessica Beebe, County Extension Director in Hoxie, Kansas Manuel Cox, lead teacher for the Engineering Academy for Student Excellence and the Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering Coordinator at American High School in Miami, Florida Tia Davis, Director of Internships and Science at Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College at North Carolina Central University Laura Decanini, pre-Ap and AP biology, Weslaco High School in Texas Staci Eckhart, Ag Educator at Fort Davis Junior and Senior High Schools in Fort Davis, Texas Donnie England, Ag Educator at Trumann High School in Trumann, Arkansas Christine Grovenstein, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator in Lithia, Florida Mary Jasek, Ag Educator at Bryan High School in Texas Chaney Mosley, Ag Educator at Temple High School in Temple, Georiga David Palange, Environmental and Earth Science Instructor at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy in Washington, D.C. Lee Smith, Ag Educator at Mena High School in Arkansas Throughout the two week travel period, participants were exposed to a wide array of agricultural practices. Participants toured traditional street markets in Metepec, allowing them to compare and contrast Mexican markets with traditional markets in their respective communities. Whie in Toluca participants were exposed to PICTIPAPA, the Programa Internacional Cooperativo del Tizón Tardío de la Papa, which stands for the International Cooperative Program for Potato Late Blight. Participants were exposed to hand planting practices in potatos, as well as transplanting. TEACH participants were exposed to both agricultural practices and the culture while in Mexico. Whether touring local markets or visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids, participants were able to gain an understanding and appreciation for the practices of the Mexican population. Plant tissue culting transers kept participants engaged and helped build and understanding of the research being conducted at the Agricultural University of Chapingo. Tours of tropical crops such as ornamentals, sugarcane and coffee promoted the belief in a hands-on learning environment. A demonstration by Fernando Carlos Gomez Merino showed TEACH participants the skillful art of floral design. The TEACH expedition began with tours of local markets and ended with a guided tour of Mercado de Abastos, the largest wholesale market in Latin America. Though the culture, agricultural practices and way of life differ from that which we know here in the states, important lessons were learned through the Mexico expedition. View photos from TEACH below:

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