9 Engaging Winter and Holiday Agriculture Activities for Middle and High School

The holiday season is here, and if you’re an ag teacher, that means juggling winter chores, school events, and trying to keep students engaged when their brains are already halfway to winter break. (Because nothing says “holiday spirit” like trying to review livestock housing while your students are humming Jingle Bells under their breath.)

That’s where seasonal, hands-on activities can save your sanity. With the right mix of fun and curriculum tie-ins, you can keep your students learning while leaning into the holiday spirit. And if you’re short on prep time (because who isn’t this time of year?), I’ve got some easy, print-and-go options like my Christmas Tree Webquest that can give you a breather while still looking like you planned it weeks in advance.

Here are ten of my favorite winter agriculture lessons and holiday ag classroom activities that work for both middle and high school students.

1. Research & Debate: Winter Housing and Animal Care Systems

Cold weather doesn’t mean animals get a break — and your students shouldn’t either. Assign them different livestock housing systems (deep-bedding barns, open lots, free-stall setups, hoop barns) and have them research pros and cons. Then turn it into a lively classroom debate.

Not only does this spark critical thinking and public speaking skills, but it also connects real-world decision-making to animal science.

2. Farm-to-Table Holiday Meal Project

Everyone eats around the holidays, but where does the food actually come from? Have students research the origins of traditional holiday dishes — from tamales to latkes to fruitcake.

They’ll trace the farm-to-table journey, connecting cultural traditions to global agriculture. It’s a creative way to talk about food systems, agricultural imports/exports, and sustainability while celebrating diversity in your classroom.

3. Holiday Floral Arrangement Lab

You can’t go wrong with plants and a little holiday flair. Set up a floral design lab where students create festive arrangements using seasonal greenery, poinsettias, or even ag-inspired accents like wheat stalks and ribbon.

This project makes a perfect cross-over into horticulture and can even double as a school fundraiser or community service project if students donate their finished work.

4. Winter Farm Safety Posters

Ice, mud, and machinery — oh my. Winter brings unique safety challenges on the farm, and your students can help spread the word. Have them create posters highlighting best practices for winter farm safety, from livestock care to equipment use.

Hang them around your classroom or partner with your local extension office for a mini community campaign. Students get to flex their creativity while reinforcing safety practices that matter.

5. Holiday Food Preservation Lab

Holiday season = food galore. Teach your students the science (and safety) of food preservation by tackling jams, jellies, or cranberry sauce. You can use small-batch canning kits or even focus on freezing and drying methods if you don’t have full lab facilities.

This ties directly to food science, connects to family traditions, and just might get your students interested in canning something besides TikTok videos.

6. Winter Crop Planning and Season Extension

Who says nothing grows in the winter? This is the perfect time to teach students about crops that thrive in cooler weather. Have them explore cover crops like rye, clover, or vetch that protect soil health, or dig into winter vegetables such as kale, spinach, carrots, and hardy root crops.

Middle school students can create simple planting guides that map out which crops do best in colder months, while high schoolers can research season extension techniques like high tunnels, cold frames, and row covers.

Not only does this keep plant science relevant during the off-season, but it also shows students how farmers can produce food year-round and why cover crops are critical for long-term soil health.

7. Agricultural Ornament Crafting

Break out the glue and let students get creative with agriculture-inspired ornaments. Think dried corn, seed packets, or even little painted wooden farm animals.

This is a lighthearted, hands-on project that makes a great FFA activity, fundraiser, or just a way to sneak in some ag ed while letting students relax before break.

8. Christmas Tree Selection Activity

Ah, the mighty Christmas tree. There’s more to it than just grabbing the first one that fits on the car roof. Teach students how to identify different species, explore grading standards, and learn what it takes to produce quality Christmas trees.

Field trips to local tree farms are gold, but you can also bring the farm to your classroom with visuals, samples, or a webquest.

👉 Teacher Tip: If you’re looking for something that’s truly zero-prep, my Christmas Tree Webquest gives students a deep dive into the production and selection of Christmas trees. Print it out or assign digitally, and you’re set while you sip hot cocoa.

9. Winter Cultural Agriculture Connections

Okay, so this one’s a bonus twist. Encourage students to research how different cultures adapt agriculture to winter conditions. From greenhouses in Iceland to rice paddies in Southeast Asia, this activity broadens horizons while tying back to global ag literacy.

It pairs beautifully with the farm-to-table project or can stand alone as a research assignment.

Holiday Spirit, Ag Teacher Style

The holidays can be exhausting, but they don’t have to mean sacrificing meaningful instruction. With a little creativity, you can weave in holiday fun while keeping ag education front and center.

Whether it’s debating winter animal care, designing floral arrangements, or diving into the world of Christmas trees, these activities give your students something memorable to wrap up the semester.

And when the prep time runs out (because it always does), resources like my Christmas Tree Webquest are there to make sure your students stay engaged without you burning the midnight oil.

Final Thought

The holiday season is about connection — with family, community, and yes, even agriculture. These winter agriculture lessons and holiday ag classroom activities make it easy to keep learning lively and relevant, while sneaking in a little festive cheer.

So go ahead, pick a few of these activities for your classroom this December. Your students will stay engaged, your lesson plans will stay on track, and you might just find yourself humming Jingle Bells right along with them.