The Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Monroe and Livingston Counties are adapting their Ag Literacy Week celebrations to accommodate COVID-19 safety protocols. In celebration of New York agriculture, volunteers throughout both counties will be remotely reading with the help of 4-H and Agriculture in the Classroom educators from each county. These volunteers will engage students in learning more about this year’s topic, dairy farming in New York.
Agricultural Literacy Week, which takes place annually across New York State, has been celebrated by Monroe and Livingston counties for the past 17 years. It serves as an opportunity to promote agricultural literacy and learning to students across the state. Each year, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Farm Bureau members, and thousands of community volunteers, visit elementary school students and read an agriculture-themed book.
This year’s featured book is Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish (Tales of the Dairy Godmother) by Viola Butler. It is a unique tale of agriculture with vivid illustrations and an engaging storyline. The book displays the unique markets and diversity that encompasses many aspects of New York’s dairy industry, while also focusing on processing and how consumers contribute to agriculture. Through the book, students will come to understand the importance of dairy farming in Monroe and Livingston counties, as well as in communities across New York.
While Agricultural Literacy Week is March 15 through 19, 2021, activities are held throughout the month of March to accommodate the number of classrooms engaging in Agriculture in the Classroom offerings from each county. Nearly 2,000 students will participate in Agriculture Literacy in both counties with the help of volunteers and Cornell Cooperative Extension staff.
Youth will learn about the journey their food takes from farm to ice cream cone. With over 4,000 dairy farms and ranking fourth nationally as the largest producer of milk, dairy is vital to New York State. The dairy community in New York includes both large and small farms. It also boasts processing facilities of various types and sizes, from major global processing companies to small artisanal dairy product makers.
“Agricultural Literacy Week will be celebrated all month long in Livingston and Monroe Counties. Covid-19 has caused a number of challenges for school youth and this is a fun way to virtually share agricultural information with students. Connecting young people to where their food comes from is important to sustain an equitable food system into the future. Guest readers, including the Monroe County Dairy Princess Court, Farm Bureau members, and local elected officials, will share the engaging book and guide classrooms through a hands-on activity to reinforce their new knowledge,” shared Monroe County 4-H Program Leader, Susan Coyle.
New York State has the longest running and largest Agricultural Literacy Week programs in the country. This year, more than 80,000 students across 62 counties will participate in virtual Agricultural Literacy Week activities. Funding to support Agricultural Literacy Week has been provided by New York State dairy farmers through the Dairy Promotion Order.
Educators can sign up for this program or community members can help sponsor this project by contacting Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County 4-H Youth Development Educator Jessica Reid at jar642@cornell.edu or 585-753-2566.
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