Kristen Morris, Science Curriculum Coordinator at Champaign Unit 4 is the 2016 Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation, Earth Partners’ Educator of the Year. Morris (left) receives the award from Earth Partners Coordinator Myla Munro.
Recognizing educators who go above and beyond, the Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation awarded Kristen Morris of Champaign Unit 4 Schools with the 2016 Earth Partners’ Educator of the Year award. Mrs. Morris, has helped connect more than 5400 students and countless teachers and chaperones to agriculture’s impact on their daily lives.
Earth Partners Coordinator, Myla Munro, says that Morris is deserving of this honor because of her years of cooperation with the program. “She realizes the importance that agriculture plays here in Champaign County and believes that urban students should connect food to the farm.”
Morris’ works in conjunction with the Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation to bring both kindergarten and 3rd grade students to Parkland College to learn more about food, farming and agriculture. She tirelessly coordinates transportation for all twelve elementary schools, sets up daily rotation schedules and helps teachers and chaperones navigate through the learning stations. In addition to her involvement in those events, Morris is always willing to help market other Earth Partners’ agricultural literacy efforts to teachers within Champaign Unit 4.
Morris was recognized at the 105th Annual Meeting of the Champaign County Farm Bureau on Monday, January 23, at Pear Tree Estate. Over 300 Farm Bureau members congratulated Morris on her commitment to agricultural education.
The Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation provides educational opportunities that impact the future of the food and agricultural industry in Champaign County, and around the world. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation is proud to have provided 375 Champaign County students the encouragement and financial resources to succeed in college. In addition, the Foundation’s Ag in the Classroom program – Earth Partners, educates over 11,000 local primary school students annually. The Earth Partners’ programs connects students to the food system and educates of agriculture’s importance in our local communities.
