By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) is welcoming fall with an exciting learning opportunity for students and educators. AITC will host a free virtual author visit with Peggy Thomas, author of The Soil in Jackie’s Garden, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. This interactive event also serves as the kickoff for the 2026 Wisconsin AITC Essay Contest.
The 30-minute live session, open to students of all grade levels, will focus on the importance of soil, agriculture, and environmental stewardship.
Peggy Thomas will share her inspiration and writing process, offering students a chance to ask questions and engage with a published author.
For fourth and fifth grade teachers, the event provides an ideal introduction to this year’s essay contest, themed “Dig into Wisconsin Soil…Where Good Things Grow!” Students are encouraged to research and write creatively about the vital role soil plays in Wisconsin’s agricultural landscape. Entries are due February 15, 2026.
Teachers can access free classroom resources, including lesson plans, rubrics, contest rules, and promotional materials to help integrate the contest into reading, science, and social studies lessons.
Registration is now open at bit.ly/WIAITCEssay, where teachers can sign up and download all contest materials.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Wisconsin, Education