News Future planning
Ontario agriculture education program receives donation from Syngenta

AgScape, an Ontario organization that provides schools with curriculum-linked food literacy programs and resources, received a $10,000 donation from Syngenta.

This donation has allowed more students in Ontario to receive fact-based agriculture and food education. In doing so, AgScape hopes to inspire students to think critically about their food choices and explore careers in the agri-food sector.

“With [Syngenta’s] support of our Teacher Ambassador Program, we were able to deliver agriculture and food lessons on topics such as biotechnology, environmental initiatives and local food to more than 800 additional students across Ontario this past school year,” says Glenna Banda, executive director of AgScape.

AgScape’s Teacher Ambassador Program (TAP) places Ontario certified teachers, who are specially trained by AgScape, directly into Grade 7 to 12 classrooms to teach students about 12 different agriculture-related topics.

Increased awareness of agri-food careers among students has been another significant benefit of AgScape’s in-class lessons. Surveys taken by students after the TAP lessons reported that 77 per cent of them agreed that the agri-food sector offers a variety of career opportunities (compared to only 51 per cent prior to the lesson).

“The agri-food sector is rich with exciting careers to pursue. We’re pleased to provide support for AgScape’s Teacher Ambassador Program and to bring agriculture alive in Ontario classrooms. Today’s youth will be the workforce of the future and will play an important role in shaping the agri-food sector,” says Christina Stroud, head of corporate affairs with Syngenta Canada.