A successful collaboration between Monroe County Farm Bureau, Monroe County 4-H, and New York State Agriculture in the Classroom allows Monroe County second graders to participate in the nation-wide event known as Agricultural Literacy Week. The event includes a book reading and an educational, hands-on activity that helps to connect agriculture facts to second grade students. The program is executed by having volunteers read aloud the chosen story for the year. The 2020 book is called Right This Very Minute: a table-to-farm book by Lisl H. Detlesen. Agricultural Literacy Week is March 16 through 20.
The book demonstrates how the food we serve on the dining room table goes through an entire process called food production before entering the doors of the home. Most often, the concept of a farm is animals such as horses, pigs, and chickens, and large colorful fields. The components discussed within the book explain how farmers plant, grow, harvest, transport, and process the product. Usually, consumers do not think a lot about what goes into how vegetables and meat are harvested and produced by farm workers in order to provide healthy, naturally grown crops, meat, and dairy products to their families.
Agricultural Literacy Week represents the functions of farms within a picture book translated into K-5 reading levels and the inclusion of a short follow-up activity. The follow-up activity provides the opportunity for the youth to reflect on the lesson and promote awareness about agricultural connections. At the conclusion of the lesson, the book and activity supplies are donated to the classrooms for future use by the teachers in the hopes that the lesson will last a lifetime and teach students life-skills.
An important part to this Agricultural Literacy event is establishing an environment where diversity can flourish. Through the encouragement of potential volunteers, including legislators and officials, the 4-H team hopes to build and strengthen positive relationships.
To support this educational program, register as a volunteer to read, be present for support, and/or encourage new members of the community to volunteer. Visit https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/ALW-volunteer-signup-2_226 to register.
Teachers can secure a spot for their classroom to participate by registering at https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/ALW-school-signup-2_226.
In lieu of volunteering, there is the option to help by sponsoring a book to a specific second grade class or let the 4-H team choose where the book will be placed. To donate a book, contact Monroe County 4-H Program Leader, Susan Coyle, at smc226@cornell.edu or 753-2567. Books are $12 each.
The Monroe County 4-H Program is offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension to the youth of Monroe County. Learn more at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development.
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