Global Programs

Global Learning in Agriculture Community Kick-Off Week starts Feb. 6

The week marks Year 7 of celebrating educators in advancing global goals

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Global Teach Ag Network at Penn State brings together educators to level up their teaching so they can engage their students in the world’s biggest challenges in global agriculture and food security. The digital Global Learning in Agriculture (GLAG) Community is now open free of cost to any educator. In order to mark this change, GLAG Kickoff Week will take place Feb. 6-10. Educators can find more information and request to join at https://global-teach-ag-network.mn.co/.

The Global Teach Ag Network was created by Daniel Foster and Melanie Miller Foster of the College of Agricultural Sciences to bring educators from local communities into the conversation and implementation of development, agriculture and food security plans.

The Global Learning in Agriculture Community is a forum for educators to share inspiration, practical experiences, and resources with each other. In 2022, the community grew to include over 1,100 educators from 46 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

“We are working to position Penn State as a thought leader in supporting all educators of any context, discipline or location to be change agents in advancing education for sustainable development, advancing climate action education, advancing agricultural education in and around global issues of food, fiber, and natural resources,” said Foster. “And I really feel like we have finally solved the Rubik's Cube after seven years of searching with our new platform.”

During GLAG Kick-Off Week of Feb. 6,  a keynote will occur at. 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 9. The speaker is provided by the Global Learning partner, the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) and is Alexa Lamm, the 2021 Borlaug CAST Communication Award wnner from the University of Georgia. She will discuss effective science communication and how to effectively share stories about agriculture with others.

Additional activities offered during GLAG Kick-Off Week will include participant polls, discussions and livestreams. To encourage widespread participation, a limited edition GLAG 2023 Kick-Off Week Digital Badge will be offered to community members who participate in a specified series of activities.

“Our goal is to turn the spotlight onto the members of the GLAG Community,” said Miller Foster. “The educators in the community are doing wonderful things with their learners in their communities around the world and our aim is to provide a platform for them to engage with each other.”

“The magic is in the community. When you put passionate people in the same proximity, awesomeness will no doubt occur!  This community is an opportunity for all educators to interact on their schedule throughout the year, we are excited to have this catalyzing event to jumpstart the year,” said Foster.

For more information on the Global Teach Ag Network or GLAG, you can visit the website https://globalteachagnetwork.psu.edu/, contact GTAN globalaged@psu.edu, or seek GTAN out on social media with the handle @GlobalTeachAg.

Last Updated February 6, 2023