BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Tall boots, short boots, rubber or steel toe, whatever their shape and size, Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) wants to see them all.
IAITC is calling on 4-H and FFA members, as well as farm kids around the state, to “show us your boots” as part of a social media campaign to celebrate the release of the new children’s book “Farm Boots” by Lisl Detlefsen from Feeding Minds Press. The joyful, rhyming tale shows the many boots needed throughout the seasons on the farm.
“Farmers have many roles in their day-to-day lives, just like the many types and styles of boots they wear,” said Kevin Daugherty, Illinois Farm Bureau director of agricultural engagement. “Whether they are agronomists, working with livestock or investigating soil and water, farmers pull up their boots to get their job done. In honor of the diverse needs around the farm, we are encouraging those involved in the diversity of agriculture to proudly share their boots.”
IAITC is accepting video submissions, which will be shared on IAITC’s social media accounts from March 20 through April 20. An example video from Detlefsen, who shares the boots she wears while harvesting cranberries on her family marsh, can be watched at https://iaitc.co/boots or on the IAITC YouTube channel. For more information about the campaign or to submit a video, email Chris Wyant, IAITC education manager, at cwyant@ilfb.org.
Detlefsen’s new book will be released March 21, coinciding with National Agriculture Day. To learn more, visit https://www.feedingmindspress.com/our-books/farm-boots.
About Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom
The mission of IAITC is to teach Illinois children agriculture’s importance and the vital role it plays in their lives and society. IAITC supports local educational and outreach efforts by providing high quality, standards based, scientifically sound agriculture information that can be easily integrated by teachers into the existing classroom curriculum. Each year IAITC reaches more than 650,000 students and 40,000 teachers throughout Illinois. Services and materials are provided at no cost to teachers.
About Illinois Farm Bureau
The Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau. IFB has a total membership of more than 366,043 and a farmer membership of 76,527. IFB represents three out of four Illinois farmers.
— Illinois Farm Bureau