Industry members will bring ag into the classroom throughout March
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Agriculture Literacy Month starts today in Saskatchewan, bringing farmers and other members of the ag industry into elementary school classrooms to share their experiences.
Agriculture in the Classroom – Saskatchewan (AITC) provides materials like books and videos for the producers to use during their classroom visits, according to a Government of Saskatchewan release yesterday.
Agriculture Literacy Month “is a program that really focuses on connecting kids to the people who are involved in growing the food that they eat,” Sara Shymko, AITC executive director, said to Farms.com today.
The program “is a way to help kids learn about agriculture but to also connect with (farmers). So, for the kids involved, it’s a great learning experience. And for the producers and (other) ag industry people involved, it’s an opportunity for them to share their stories, build relationships and build trust,” she said.
While AITC has celebrated one week in March as Canadian Agriculture Week since 2012, last year was the first celebration of Agriculture Literacy Month.
The feedback was really positive from both the teachers and volunteers who participated in last year’s Ag Literacy Month, Shymko said to Farms.com.
“This year’s theme is ‘Our Food, Our Story,’” Gordon Wyant, deputy premier and education minister, said in the release.
“Agriculture Literacy Month allows students to take part in activities with local producers and hear stories about why they work in the agriculture industry. These experiences are the kind of learning that really makes an impression on students,” he said.
Throughout March, 150 ag volunteers will visit classrooms to share stories about farming and how food is produced. Over 7,500 students will take part in the program, Shymko, said in the release.
If producers are interested in becoming involved with AITC, they can sign up to volunteer here.