Pennsylvania Ag Connection - Pennsylvania Farmers Kickoff Inaugural Ag Literacy Week

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Pennsylvania Farmers Kickoff Inaugural Ag Literacy Week
Pennsylvania Ag Connection - 03/23/2017

Hundreds of Pennsylvania farmers are going back to school this week to read a book to thousands of students to celebrate Ag Literacy Week, which is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation (PFAF), a charitable group supported by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB).

Farm Bureau members will visit more than 400 classrooms and reach approximately 7,000 students during the inaugural celebration of Pennsylvania Ag Literacy Week, March 20-24. The Foundation has selected the book "Before We Eat: From Farm to Table," which will be read to students in kindergarten through second grade.

The book provides information on a wide variety of steps it takes to get food to the table, while offering thanks to the people who grow, transport, sell and prepare our food.

"The illustrated book enlightens youngsters that food just doesn't magically appear in their refrigerator or on the kitchen table. Farmers play a critical role in providing food to the public, but there are many others involved in the production and distribution of food," said PFB President Rick Ebert, who is also chairman of the Friends of Agriculture Foundation. "In addition, we are pleased that members of FFA, 4-H and other agriculture interests have volunteered to participate in reading the book to children in schools across the state. The readers will also talk to students about their farms or their connection to the agriculture industry."

Aside from the book reading, a food plate activity has been created by the Foundation to further engage students. Farm Bureau notes that all of the activity materials are prepared by PFAF and are aligned with Pennsylvania state standards.

"Each classroom will receive a copy of the book and additional lesson plans, so teachers can extend the learning process after Ag Literacy Week is over," concluded Ebert.

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