Dear Potential Donor, On August 5, 2023, Ag in the Classroom will hold the annual 20 Mile Taste fundraising event to support its countywide programs.With support from this fundraiser, plans for the 2023/2024 school year include: Holding Farm Day in the spring at the Placerville Fairgrounds Expanding our Fields of Learning field trip offerings, connecting farms to schools Providing teachers with standards-based science curriculum in the classroom. Guests are offered a picnic dinner catered by John Sanders of Old Town Grill with hot donuts by Rainbow Orchards and local dessert/wine pairings to either take out, or to enjoy in the orchard’s festive atmosphere with live music, beer, wine, and hard cider offerings, and auctions. Those of you who took part in the event last year know what a fun and family-friendly event it is. Our goal is simple: The delivery of quality, curriculum-based ag education to over 2500 students and 35+ schools in El Dorado County. Ag in the Classroom invites you to make a donation of a good for consumption or goods/services for live and/or silent auction at the 20 Mile Taste. As a donor to 20 Mile Taste your business will receive recognition in all print and social media promoting the event. Your business logo will be prominently displayed on the Ag in the Classroom website and all other social media and print communications for the year. Ag in the Classroom – El Dorado County (AITC) is a local 501(c)3 organization and has existed for over 20 years. AITC grew substantially from 2014-2019, reaching more than 2500 students per year with educational programming about agriculture and its role in the county. Students learned the impact of agriculture in the context of local farms, ranches, forests and watersheds, providing food, shelter, viewscapes and wildlife habitat for our local communities. AITC has served students and teachers from South Lake Tahoe to El Dorado Hills in school and community partnership engagements. The strength of AITC partnerships are demonstrated in grants, sponsorships, volunteerism and in-kind support coming from over 100 area organizations, businesses, and entities in recent years. AITC is a local, grassroots, charitable organization that accomplishes its mission by providing 3 educational programs. FARM DAY - For 20 years, we have hosted thousands of our local 3rd graders, 300+ volunteers and teachers for a day of hands-on, place-based, agricultural education. The purpose is to educate and help students understand where food, fiber and forest products originate and how they are used in everyday life. Classes rotate to learning stations and experience 8 presentations to learn about all aspects of agriculture and farming. FIELDS OF LEARNING (FOL) - Pairs a school with a local farm, 3 times a year, to enhance students’ education through hands-on agricultural experiences. We strive to provide lessons that brings together Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards. By exploring the items grown on the farm, its environment, its changes and impacts, the program allows students to delve into all the disciplinary core ideas of life science. Farm partners range from the small farm stand of 24 Carrot to the more traditional vision of an Apple Hill farm of Rainbow Orchards, to the ever-diversifying Harris Family Farm, from the vineyards/apples/chestnut trees of Smokey Ridge Ranch, to one of the highest vineyards in California, the environmentally friendly Madroña. Just like our County, our locations are varied, but each one is rich in educational opportunities. NGSS CURRICULUM SUBSCRIPTION - While the 2020-21 school year has necessitated a pivot away from AITCs signature learning opportunities for classes, it opened up the opportunity to expand our educational reach by creating engaging, standards-based science curriculum focused on the local industry and landscape. Schools can subscribe to the program, offering lessons focused on 6 topics. Each unit lesson is targeted to specific school grade level science standards and includes a detailed lesson plan, activity materials, supplementary teaching materials.