Urban educators from across the nation recently saw Kansas beef production firsthand through the checkoff-funded American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s On the Farm STEM (science, technology, engineering and math teachers) Experience. These educators saw how the beef community applies STEM principles every day of the beef lifecycle during tours of Downey Ranch in Wabaunsee County, Tiffany Cattle Company in Morris County, Bichelmeyer Meats in Wyandotte County and the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit in Riley County.
In partnership with the Kansas Corn Commission, the Kansas Beef Council walked participants through a newly designed STEM curriculum focused on common breeds of cattle, the beef lifecycle, products made from beef cattle, beef cuts and facts about grain- and grass-finished beef. Through this professional development experience, participants were able to increase their agricultural knowledge and better connect STEM concepts with agriculture in their classrooms and curriculums.