The Butler Area School District's Community Agricultural Partnership at Summit Elementary School has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Partnership in Agricultural Literacy Award. Presented by the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization, this accolade recognizes the district's outstanding efforts in promoting agricultural literacy among students.
Led by dedicated teacher Angela Eyth and supported by the district's administration, the program has successfully integrated agricultural concepts into the curriculum across various subjects. With Butler County's rural backdrop and strong connections to farming, the initiative has resonated with students and their families, fostering a deep understanding of agriculture's significance in their daily lives.
Summit Elementary's 17-acre land has allowed for hands-on learning experiences, including crop cultivation and an engaging embryology study involving hatching duck and chicken eggs. The program's impact extends beyond the school grounds, as another district school, Broad Street Elementary, has opened the Broad Street Market, teaching students about community engagement and the importance of farming in providing food to families in need.
The program's success and potential for replication have garnered praise from Charlene Shupp-Espenshade, executive director of the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation. The district's commitment to preparing students as active and empowered community members aligns with the program's goals.
The recognition will be celebrated at the 2023 NAITCO Conference in Orlando, Florida, where Summit Elementary's Community Agricultural Partnership and its exceptional contributions to agricultural literacy will be honored.
Photo Credit: shutterstock-alex-brylov
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Education