Midwest Dairy continues to build trust with youth by partnering with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) on the Fields of STEM program, which provides educators from the Midwest opportunities for professional learning and networking while also showcasing the value of including agriculture-based learning in their classrooms. The program has representation from all 10 Midwest Dairy states and includes 17 returning ambassadors from last year and 53 new ambassadors participating in the program. Investing in teachers creates a ripple effect – impacting today’s students and future students for years to come.
In the fall of 2025, two Fields of STEM cohort members brought high-quality, Next Generation Science Standards-aligned instructional materials to major science education conferences. Then, in mid-November, the Fields of STEM cohort concluded its 10-month program with 33 participating educators attending the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) conference in Minneapolis. As part of the conference, NSTA, in collaboration with Midwest Dairy, hosted the Fields of STEM Day of Impact. More than 20 food and science education VIPs participated in the Day of Impact, learning about the Fields of STEM cohort program, exploring food and agriculture STEM resources, and engaging in meaningful peer-to-peer connections. Ten cohort members presented poster sessions, while an additional 14 shared their work during the Fields of STEM Speed Sharing Sessions. Educators also shared their experiences and expressed their appreciation in a video created to thank farmers for making this work possible.
STEM resources remain a critical part of students’ education, and we look forward to bringing more agriculture-based learning to educators in the 2026 Fields of STEM cohort.