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91´«Ã½ Hosts Agriscience Professional Development Institute

June 15, 2026

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MACOMB, IL – 91´«Ã½ recently hosted a five-day Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) professional development institute for 28 participants from across Illinois. The institute provided intensive professional development focused on a full year of curriculum for Introduction to Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

The curriculum was developed by CASE 4 Learning. CASE, which stands for Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education, is an initiative of the National Council for Agricultural Education. CASE 4 Learning is committed to designing inquiry-based agricultural curriculum that meets the current demands of teachers, students and industry.

provides comprehensive professional development and workshops for new and seasoned teachers to achieve lifetime certification, learn new coursework and build a community of support. Upon certification, CASE 4 Learning teachers have access to course updates, training and support throughout their careers. The curriculum is designed to spiral and scaffold course concepts, incorporate Activity, Project or Problem (APP) modalities and meet core standards to help students become lifelong learners while preparing them for college and careers.

Dusti Ingles, 91´«Ã½ assistant professor of Agricultural Education served as coordinator for the CASE Institute and worked closely with CASE staff, CASE lead teachers and participating teachers from across the nation to help make the institute successful. During the institute, participants spent 40 hours working through nearly every lesson in the year-long curriculum and learning how to deliver lessons using inquiry-based instruction, which shifts the focus in the classroom from teacher-led to student-directed learning.

"It was an exciting opportunity to host 28 agricultural educators from across the state for this institute," Ingles said. "Participants were trained in inquiry-based instruction from two exceptional lead teachers, Riley Hintzsche, a 91´«Ã½ alumnus and Illinois teacher, and Darla Romberger. A current 91´«Ã½ student, Amanda Niemann, worked on this project as a GAST intern. This event would not have been possible without this amazing team of people."
Ingles also noted the support provided by the School of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture.

"Keela Trennepohl, director of the School of Agriculture, and the entire Agriculture Department came together to support the institute," Ingles said. "In addition to receiving curriculum training, the agriculture teachers participated in a campus and farm tour, an industry tour at Dearwester Grain Services and a field trip to Ann Knowles' farm. It was great to share a few of the great things Western Illinois has to offer."

For more information about CASE 4 Learning, visit .

Registration is now available for the next School of Agriculture Open House, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, at wiu.edu/cbt/agriculture/openhouse.php. For more information on 91´«Ã½'s School of Ag, visit wiu.edu/Ag.

Posted By: University Communications, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606