ROCHESTER, N.Y. — 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 – 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.
Agriculture Literacy Week is made available through the support of Monroe County Farm Bureau and New York State Agriculture in the Classroom.
You may support this educational program by registering as a volunteer to read, be present for support, and/or encourage new members of the community to join volunteer. In lieu of volunteering, you have 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.
Regardless, if you volunteer or donate a book, the goal is to educate community youth and be part of a successful event. Youth are the future of our communities, so the hope is that the positive impact will be long-term.
To register as a volunteer or secure a spot for your classroom, use the following links.
Volunteer: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/ALW-volunteer-signup-2_226
Teacher’s classroom: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/ALW-school-signup-2_226
To donate a book you may contact Monroe County 4-H Program Leader, Susan Coyle, smc226@cornell.edu, 585-753-2567. Books are $12 each.
The Monroe County 4-H Program is offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension to the youth of Monroe County. 4-H is a worldwide youth development program open to all youth ages 5 to 19, who want to have fun, learn new skills, and explore the world. In return, youth who participate in 4-H find a supportive environment and opportunities for hands-on or “experiential” learning about things that interest them.
Learn more at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development.
— Cornell Cooperative Extension, Monroe County
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