Agriculture Teacher Toolkit:

Floral / Greenhouse
  • Florals: Red Mountain Floral, JFS Wholesale, Ensign Wholesale, Mayesh, Pineae, Cook's Greenhouse, Ball Seed, Ball Horticulture, True Leaf Market​
  • Essential equipment: Greenhouse equipment (watering systems, plastics, hoses)​
  • Essential equipment: Floral tools (cooler, vases, wire)​
  • First purchases: Greenhouse and greenhouse tools
  • Contacts for troubleshooting: Georg Wardell (greenhouse), local floral suppliers​
  • Suppliers contact info: Red Mountain Floral — (801) 356-8200; floral distributors; seed companies​
  • ​Recommended forums/groups: Texas Floral Teachers (Facebook)​
Plant Science
  • Suppliers: Ball Seed, Ball Horticulture, True Leaf Market, Cook's Greenhouse (also used for floral)​
  • Essential equipment: Greenhouse equipment (watering systems, plastics, hoses)​
  • Recommended curriculum & resources: Extension publications; Utah Ag in the Classroom (plant-related lessons often included)​

Animal Science / Vet / Ag Livestock
  • Ag/Livestock suppliers: IFA, Cal-Ranch, Carolina Biological Supply, Tractor Supply​
  • Recommended curriculum: CASE Curriculum (Animal Health, Vet Science); Cornell Vet Science​
  • Certifications: ICEV Certifications (Animal Science, Vet Assisting)​
  • Essential equipment: Vet tools (bandage supplies, surgical instruments, stuffed animals, syringes)​
  • First purchases: Stuffed animal dummies for vet programs​
  • Contacts for troubleshooting: Local clinics for vet programs​
  • One thing they wish they knew: Clinic experience for vet programs helps immensely​

Mechanics / Ag Welding / Ag Mech
  • Welding/metals suppliers: Page Steel, Nucor, Scholzens, Triple S, Lincoln Electric, Metal Mart, Norco, Airgas, Linde, Grainger​
  • Essential equipment: Welding tools (welders, grinders, plasma cutters)​
  • First purchases: Basic set of welders and hand tools​
  • Contacts for troubleshooting: Silverback Machines (equipment repair); local welding suppliers​
  • Best professional development: Industry-specific workshops (plasma cutting)​
  • One thing they wish they knew: Smaller details in shop or woodwork​

General Resources
  • Recommended curriculum & resources: Utah Ag in the Classroom; Miller OpenBook; National Geographic; teacher-created materials​
  • Agriculture pathways/focus areas: Ag Communications & Ag Business; Animal Science; Plant Science; Mechanics/Welding/Ag Mech; Floral/Greenhouse; specialized areas​
  • Funding sources: Utah FFA Foundation; local businesses; Grants for Growing; School Trust Lands; SAE for All grants; Local Education Foundation grants​
  • General suppliers: Amazon, Walmart, local distributors; Steve Regan, Costco, Sam's Club, Harbor Freight, Home Depot​
  • Organization systems: Google Drive, Canvas, teacher planners, desk calendars, Sterlite storage bins, external hard drives, Excel, digital logs​
  • Best professional development: Utah Ag Summer & Winter Conferences; National FFA Convention; CASE training; collaboration with district teachers​
  • Recommended forums/groups: Utah Ag Education Google Drive & Facebook Page; Ag Teacher Discussion Groups; CASE teacher networks; local Facebook/Instagram​

General Teaching / Lab Space (all pathways)
  • ​Troubleshooting tips for the lab space: Know your space; ask district before changes; document procedures; use YouTube/manuals; be creative with space; trial and error; outsource repairs; plan storage/cleaning​
  • Contacts for troubleshooting: Other ag teachers​
  • Supplier info: Local feed stores, welding suppliers, floral distributors, seed companies; full lists often shared by teachers​
  • One thing they wish they knew: Equipment use and ordering processes; district quirks; budget/money processes; connections with kids; not focusing too much on FFA at first​
  • How classes were decided: Teacher expertise and passion; student enrollment and interest; CTE pathway completion; counselor-driven schedules​
  • Essential equipment: Basic classroom supplies (microscopes, measuring tools, laptops)​
  • First purchases: FFA jackets for lending; core class materials over specialty tools​
  • Gaining support from admin/community: Invite to events; updates/newsletters; relationships with local businesses; share successes; leverage student enthusiasm​
  • Building local partnerships: Attend meetings/workshops; Farm Bureau events; tours and advice; service and collaboration; personal connections​
  • First-year mistakes & fixes: Lack of communication; overcommitting; poor sub plans; taking comments personally; work-life boundaries​
  • Advice for new teachers: Build classroom before FFA; start small; focus on relationships; ask for help; choose one area to excel in per year; be inclusive; maintain balance
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Check out Utah Agriculture in the Classroom:
Agricultural Biology Resources: 
National Agricultural in the Classroom:
National Center for Agricultural Literacy 
Supply and Demand Data:

Teach Ag Workshop​