2025 Agriculture Summer Conference

Come join the State Fair Chair team as we reimagine what the Utah State Fair can be for students across the state! This session will highlight how every agriculture teacher can get their classes involved by showcasing student learning through hands-on, project-based contests. We’ll give a quick overview of the four major exhibit areas:

• Ag Mechanics – Student-built and refurbished projects demonstrating craftsmanship and engineering skills
• Crops – Homegrown produce and field crops that tie directly to students’ SAEs and class projects
• Floriculture – Fresh arrangements, dried designs, nursery plants, and a new “Nursery & Landscape” division
• Further Processed Agricultural Products – A brand-new category that includes jams, sauces, pickles, dried goods, meat and dairy products, and more

We’ll talk about what judges are looking for, student entry guidelines, how to prepare winning exhibits, and how participation enhances SAE records and student confidence. Whether you’re new to the Fair or a returning supporter, this is your invitation to help grow statewide participation and celebrate the incredible work our students do.

This workshop is for beginning agriculture teachers and is part of the Beginning Agriculture Support and Education (BASE) program. This is the first of the workshop series designed for beginning agriculture teachers. For those newly hired. An overview of the program and opportunities, discussion about preparing for the first year of teaching, and time for questions and answers.

Connecting FFA Curriculum with Real-World STEM Experiences
This presentation introduces FFA teachers to the idea of using golf courses as outdoor learning environments through the First Green program. It shows how golf course superintendents can be powerful partners in delivering hands-on labs that align with ag science, environmental science, and turf management curriculum.
Key points include:

• What is First Green? – A national program that brings students out to golf courses for interactive, STEM-based field trips.
• Curriculum Connections – Ties directly into FFA pathways like plant science, soil science, water management, and ag mechanics.
• Career Exploration – Exposes students to high-demand, lesser-known careers in turfgrass and environmental management.
• Why Golf Courses? – These are professionally managed green spaces with real-time data, technology, and environmental challenges.
• How You Can Get Involved – Partner with a local superintendent, plan a field trip, or incorporate turf into your existing FFA units.

The session encourages teachers to think beyond the classroom, build community partnerships, and use golf courses as dynamic platforms for career-connected learning.

Connecting FFA Curriculum with Real-World STEM Experiences
This presentation introduces FFA teachers to the idea of using golf courses as outdoor learning environments through the First Green program. It shows how golf course superintendents can be powerful partners in delivering hands-on labs that align with ag science, environmental science, and turf management curriculum.
Key points include:

• What is First Green? – A national program that brings students out to golf courses for interactive, STEM-based field trips.
• Curriculum Connections – Ties directly into FFA pathways like plant science, soil science, water management, and ag mechanics.
• Career Exploration – Exposes students to high-demand, lesser-known careers in turfgrass and environmental management.
• Why Golf Courses? – These are professionally managed green spaces with real-time data, technology, and environmental challenges.
• How You Can Get Involved – Partner with a local superintendent, plan a field trip, or incorporate turf into your existing FFA units.

The session encourages teachers to think beyond the classroom, build community partnerships, and use golf courses as dynamic platforms for career-connected learning.