MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Students at John C. Kunkle Elementary School in Middletown, Dauphin County, learned how food gets from the farm to their tables when Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding read to students, kicking off Ag Literacy Week across Pennsylvania.
Redding encouraged students to plant their own gardens and think about careers in agriculture as he read Lisl H. Detlefsen and Renee Kurilla’s book, “Right This Very Minute” to Lori D’Amour’s second grade class.
“Agriculture touches all of our lives at least three times every day — every time we open a refrigerator,” said Redding. “This year’s story shows students the care, pride and hard work that farmers put into raising food. I hope it inspires kids to pursue agriculture as they consider their future options.”
“Right This Very Minute” takes young readers through the many ways that, “Every single day of every year, farmers tend to their crops, care for their animals and work hard to feed their families and yours.” Redding also led the class in a hands-on activity challenging them to imagine what farmers do to grow the foods for their meals throughout the day.
Deputy Secretaries Fred Strathmeyer, Greg Hostetter and Cheryl Cook will read to students in Mount Wolf, York County, Lebanon, Lebanon County and Carlisle, Cumberland County later in the week. They join agriculture leaders throughout the state and nation in celebrating the annual event, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. The week aims to help students become more ag-literate, raising awareness of the value of agriculture to society.
Engaging with Pennsylvania students is part of the Wolf Administration’s workforce development strategy and a key element in the governor’s proposed $24 million investment in attracting future generations of skilled workers to secure the future of the industry.
The Pa. Farm Bill, a package of legislation that provides support for and continued investments in the commonwealth’s agriculture industry, was modeled after the governor’s six-point plan to cultivate future generations of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. The legislation will provide for business development and succession planning, create accommodations for a growing animal agriculture sector, remove regulatory burdens, strengthen the ag workforce, protect infrastructure and make Pennsylvania the nation’s leading organic state.
For more information about Ag Literacy Week, including ways to become a volunteer, visit the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau website.
For more information about the Pa. Farm Bill and Pennsylvania’s strategies to support and sustain the agriculture industry at agriculture.pa.gov.
— Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture