For the past 17 years, the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and soybean checkoff have been investing in the development of curriculum and educational materials focusing on the science of the soybean and its production, as well as cultivating strong education networks of teachers throughout the state of Ohio. OSC continues to support this investment by launching a new website, GrowNextGen.org, to provide educators with a wide array of relevant classroom materials and direct access to industry partners.

The site was specifically developed to bring real-world situations into the classroom focused on chemistry, biology, biotechnology, environmental science and agriscience.

“Through the development of this interactive website, Ohio soybean farmers have created a centralized location where curriculum, educational materials and future materials can be accessed,” said John Motter, OSC soybean farmer from Hancock County.

In addition to relevant curriculum materials related to soybean production and agriculture, the site also houses career videos, interactive e-learning courses, background information and networking & sharing abilities. The site also includes upcoming workshops and regular communication with teachers to highlight new materials and testimonials.

“When we began the process, we spoke with teachers about what information and resources were out there to educate students about soybeans, agriculture and the many careers that are available in these fields. Unfortunately, many of those resources needed updating to reflect the realities of farming and food production today,” said Amy Sigg Davis, OSC Domestic Marketing Committee Chair and soybean farmer from Warren County.  “Ohio teachers may be the first people to talk with students about agriculture and how science is such a big part of what farming and food is all about.  We want to offer them the best resources we can.”

Go to www.grownextgen.org to learn more about the materials and resources that are helping to connect teachers and their students to Ohio soybeans and agriculture.