EDMOND, OKLAHOMA [MAY 2, 2019] – Debra (Deskin) Wood has been selected by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture to participate in an On the Farm STEM professional development event in Syracuse, New York, May 21-23. The training is designed to bring science to life for participants with the help of American beef cattle ranchers, researchers, nutritionists and veterinarians.
Wood, a Gifted and Talented Teacher of the Edmond Public Schools, and other participants were selected from a competitive field of applicants. She has a background in agriculture, as she was the Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year in 2017. When not teaching, she travels across the state, and beyond, spreading the word of agriculture by conducting educator workshops.
Participants will receive free registration, reimbursement of up to $650 for approved travel expenses and hotel accommodations for three nights and meals, in addition to educational supplies and resources. Continuing education units will be made available to attendees who complete the program. This event and one similar being held this year build on the success of national On the Farm education events facilitated by the Foundation for the past three years.
Wood is a 2000 graduate of Luther High School and a former LPS teacher.
Visit the On The Farm resources page on the Foundation’s website to apply for additional information to build awareness, understanding and a positive public perception of agriculture through education.
The Beef Checkoff Program funded development of the On the Farm training and supporting resources. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as a part of the 1985 farm bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. In states with qualified Beef Councils, states retain up to 50 cents of the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
