AgScape, a leader in innovative agriculture and food education for educators and students across Ontario, is pleased to announce Pam Woodhouse, an elementary school teacher from St. John Catholic School in Arthur, Ontario, as the recipient of the 2024 Teaching Excellence in Agriculture and Food Education Award.
Sponsored by Canada's Outdoor Farm Show, AgScape's annual Teaching Excellence in Agriculture and Food Education Award honours an Ontario educator who showcases outstanding dedication to incorporating agriculture and food topics into the curriculum. The recipient is awarded $1,500 in cash and a certificate acknowledging their significant impact on agriculture and food education within the classroom.
"I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Pam on this achievement. Our government is proud to support efforts to further food literacy and inspire youth to think about a career in the agri-food industry," said Rob Flack, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness. "AgScape is one of many OMAFA-supported initiatives that are helping to attract and build future agri-food talent across the province, which is key to the sector's continued success."
"I want to congratulate Pam Woodhouse on this outstanding achievement. Her passion and dedication to teaching and inspiring young students about agriculture and food is truly remarkable," said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education. "Thank you to Pam and all other teachers who play a crucial role in ensuring students understand the origins of the healthy, nutritious food they eat and the significant role farming plays in our lives. This includes teaching the Grades 1 to 3 Social Studies curriculum, which explores the relationship between the natural environment, land use and employment opportunities. We're also pleased that AgScape can support teachers with curriculum-linked resources that will help students build this knowledge and contribute to cultivating the next generation of agri-food professionals."
Woodhouse, a passionate farmer, agriculture enthusiast, and Grade 3 and 4 teacher, has been devoted to integrating agriculture and food themes into her students' learning experiences. Her innovative approach includes organizing large-scale field trips, such as the International Plowing Match, which connects students to real-world agricultural practices and history. She also leads her school's Green Legacy program, where students plant, grow, and care for acorn seedlings throughout the school year. As part of this program, students participate in an annual field trip to Northern Nursery in Damascus to learn about the importance of trees and environmental stewardship. Additionally, Woodhouse engages her students in the Pizza Perfect' project at the Grand River Raceway, where they take part in hands-on activities and live demonstrations related to agriculture, such as cow milking, pig farming, food processing, and more. To celebrate Ontario Agriculture Week in her classroom, she leverages various AgScape programs and resources, incorporating curriculum-linked lesson plans, Virtual Field Trips, and activities into her curriculum to enhance her students' agriculture and food literacy.
"As someone who is passionate about agriculture, being able to combine teaching with my love for this field is truly a dream come true," said Woodhouse. "I am both humbled and honoured to be recognized in this way, and I look forward to continuing to inspire and educate others about the importance of agriculture."
"Working with extraordinary educators is one of our greatest privileges at AgScape," said Mira Lyonblum, Executive Director of AgScape. "Without teachers like Pam going above and beyond, we would not be able to empower students across Ontario to see themselves as an integral part of our agriculture and food system."
To access photo highlights from the award ceremony at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show 2024, click here.
