** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** NH 4-H EDUCATOR AGSPLORATION IS DESIGNED TO BUILD THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF HOW INCORPORATING FOOD, AGRICULTURE, RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT (FARNE) IN THE CLASSROOM INCREASES AGRICULTURAL LITERACY AND IGNITES A STUDENT'S SPARK. PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES CONNECTED TO COMMUNITY-BASED TOPICS CONTRIBUTES TO A STUDENT'S OVERALL AGRICULTURAL LITERACY WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TEACHING CORE SKILLS. NH 4-H EDUCATOR AGSPLORATION WILL PREPARE TEACHERS TO PROVIDE THIS TYPE OF CONTEXTUAL LEARNING FOR STUDENTS.AS A COHORT, PARTICIPANTS WILL EXPLORE NEW HAMPSHIRE'S (NH) NATURAL RESOURCE THE ACER (MAPLE TREE) AND THE UNIQUE TRADITION OF MAPLE SUGARING. THIS FULL IMMERSION EXPERIENCE WILL DEEPEN THE UNDERSTANDING OF CONTENT AND PROVIDE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN FARNE AND CORE GRADE LEVEL CONTENT. THE EXPERIENCE INCLUDES TRAINING ON CURRICULUM, OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE DELIVERING HANDS-ON AGRI-STEM EXPERIENCES, OPPORTUNITY TO CREATEA PLAN OF ACTION FOR INCORPORATING AGRICULTURAL LITERACY IN THE CLASSROOM, AND NETWORKING WITH OTHER EDUCATORS FROM AROUND THE STATE.WITH THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF CREATING A SPARK FOR YOUTH LEADING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS ALONG THEIR EDUCATIONAL PATHWAY TOWARDS BECOMING FUTURE MEMBERS IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES WORKFORCE, THE OBJECTIVE OF THE INITIATIVE IS TO BUILD EDUCATOR CAPACITY TO SUPPORT FARNE CONNECTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM RESULTING IN INCREASED AGRICULTURAL LITERACY.UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE PROJECT, NH 4-H ANTICIPATES SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTING THE OVERALL QUALITY OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES EDUCATION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (NH) BY PROVIDING INNOVATIVE, MEANINGFUL, AND INFORMED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL LITERACY (A7501).