Optional graduate credit available
ALEC 890 (3 hours) - Food Science track Section 603, Class 8452; Plant Science track Section 604, Class 8453 ; Ag Business track Section 605, Class 8454; Ag Mechanics track Section 606, Class 8455. Instructions on registering. Course contact: Stacie Turnbull. Graduate course expectations found HERE. All assignments are due Saturday, August 1, 2026. Those seeking graduate credit must attend 2 full days on the same track (Plant Science, Food Science, PSTS, or Agribusiness) AND must attend 2 full evening sessions.
Description: Choose tracks in the areas of Agricultural Mechanics, Food Science, Plant Science, and Agricultural Business. Join for a hands-on sessions during the day and evening discussion session.
Ag Mechanics
Dual Credit Welding (THREE SESSIONS)
Instructor: Dan Stehlik
This three-session workshop is designed to help agricultural educators strengthen their welding knowledge and hands-on skills and build a successful dual-credit welding program for their high school. Participants will gain practical welding experience, curriculum development support, classroom resources, and the tools needed to implement and sustain a high-quality dual-credit welding course in their classrooms.
Construction/Wood Working
Instructor: Dan Stehlik
This woodworking and construction workshop is designed to help agricultural educators enhance their skills in woodworking, construction techniques, tool use, and shop safety and develop engaging learning opportunities for their students. Participants will gain hands-on experience with commonly used tools and equipment, classroom-ready project ideas, curriculum resources, and practical strategies to strengthen or expand construction and woodworking programs within their schools.
Plant Systems
Online Tools and Interactive Activities for Range Management
Jessica Rodman, Instructor
This rangeland management workshop is designed to help agricultural educators explore online tools that can enhance student engagement and strengthen classroom instruction in natural resources and rangeland management. Participants will receive hands-on training using the Web Soil Survey and Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP) to analyze soils, vegetation, and land management data. The session will focus on practical classroom applications, interactive activities, and strategies for incorporating these digital tools into agricultural education curriculum.
Introduction to Range Management and Range Judging
Monty Larson, Instructor
Ignite your curriculum and equip your students with essential knowledge and skills in the dynamic field of Range Science! Even if you didn’t have “dynamic” and “Range Science” on your Bingo card, plan to attend this session designed specifically for inexperienced agricultural educators seeking to integrate engaging and relevant range management principles and/or Range Judging into their existing plant science curriculum. Through a blend of interactive lectures, hands-on plant identification, and collaborative activities, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of rangeland ecosystems, their importance, and sustainable management practices.
Agron CDE and Teaching Plant Growth – Tips and Tricks
Brad Ramsdale, Instructor
Interested in taking your agronomy team to the next level? Learn the tips and tricks of preparing a winning agronomy team from a national champion coach.
Soils
Brad Ramsdale, Instructor
This session is designed to help agricultural educators strengthen their understanding of soil science concepts and develop engaging, hands-on learning experiences for their students. Participants will explore topics such as soil properties, classification, health, and management while gaining practical activities, classroom resources, and instructional strategies that can be directly incorporated into agricultural education curriculum.
Food Science
Nutrition Facts Meets the Periodic Table
Instructor: Andreia Bianchini Huebner - UNL Food Science Innovation Campus
This is a hands-on workshop for Ag and science educators looking to boost student engagement in high school chemistry—without changing their existing curriculum. Participants will explore short, plug-and-play demonstrations and activities that use the food label as a unifying theme to reinforce core chemistry concepts such as elements, bonding, macromolecules, reactions, and energy. Teachers will leave with ready-to-use materials, background content, and classroom strategies that connect chemistry to food. No curriculum overhaul required—just engaging, real-world chemistry connections students instantly recognize.
Meat Science and CDE Prep –
Instructor: Bo Garcia – UNL
This will help agricultural educators build foundational knowledge in meat science and provide guidance on preparing students for success in the Meat Evaluation and Technology Career Development Event (CDE). Participants will explore meat cuts, carcass evaluation, grading, identification, and industry standards through hands-on activities and practical instruction. The session will also provide classroom resources, practice strategies, and coaching tools to strengthen meat science instruction and CDE preparation within agricultural education programs.
Chemistry of a Hot Dog Lab
Instructor: Chad Schimmels
Have you ever wondered about the Chemistry of a Hotdog? This workshop is designed to help agricultural educators explore the science and chemistry behind one of America’s most popular food products. Participants will examine topics such as food chemistry, ingredients, processing, preservation, and food safety while engaging in hands-on activities and classroom-ready demonstrations. The session will provide practical strategies for integrating chemistry and food science concepts into agricultural education curriculum in an engaging and student-centered way.
Tools and Strategies for Teaching Food Safety
Instructor: Cami Wells, Food Safety
Strengthen your food safety and food science instruction with practical tools and up-to-date knowledge designed specifically for agricultural education teachers. This session will feature hands-on activities, curriculum materials, and teaching strategies to support instruction on safe food handling practices and Food Science CDE preparation. Participants will leave with ideas for integrating food safety concepts into agricultural education programs.
Ag Business Track
Ag Marketing 101
Jennifer McConville- Instructor
This workshop provides teachers with practical strategies, classroom activities, and ready to use resources for introducing agricultural marketing concepts in high school courses. Participants will explore topics such as branding, consumer behavior, pricing, social media marketing, and agricultural career pathways while learning ways to connect agriculture, business, and communication in engaging and relevant ways. Teachers will leave with adaptable lesson ideas and activities designed to help students better understand how agricultural products are marketed from farm to consumer.
Become an AET Pro!
Monty Larson- Instructor
This AET workshop is designed to help agricultural educators and FFA advisors effectively utilize The Agricultural Experience Tracker (AET) to support classroom instruction, FFA management, and student recordkeeping. Participants will learn how to navigate the platform, manage student accounts, track SAE projects, complete degree and award applications, and use AET tools to improve organization, reporting, and student engagement within their agricultural education programs.
Commodity Marketing Fundamentals: Prices, Risk Management, and Marketing Decisions in Agriculture
Fabio Mattos- Instructor
This session introduces the core concepts of commodity marketing, including cash and futures markets, basis, price risk management and hedging, and marketing strategies used by producers and agribusiness firms. Participants will explore how market information, uncertainty, and decision-making influence agricultural marketing outcomes. The session will emphasize practical examples and real-world applications that teachers can use to help students connect economics and agriculture in meaningful ways.
Teaching Commodity Marketing Through Classroom Simulations, Games, and Other Activities
Fabio Mattos- Instructor
This hands-on session provides teachers with practical tools, activities, and classroom exercises for teaching commodity marketing concepts in engaging and interactive ways. Participants will experience simulations, marketing games, forecasting activities, and decision-making exercises designed to help students better understand agricultural markets and risk management. Teachers will leave with ready-to-use classroom materials, teaching ideas, and strategies that can be adapted for agricultural education courses.
