By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Texas teachers can grow agricultural literacy in their classrooms with help from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB).

TFB is celebrating its third-annual Ag Literacy Week Book Program, held during National Ag Week, on March 17-21, 2025.

The free program sends K-5 public, private, and homeschool teachers an accurate ag book to read during the week.

“The Ag Literacy Week Book Program gives teachers the opportunity to encourage students to grow in agricultural literacy through an accurate ag book and accompanying activities that relate to the book,” said Jordan Bartels, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Educational Outreach.

The free book that will be provided by TFB is Potatoes for Pirate Pearl. The short book highlights Pirate Pearl and her parrot Petunia as they learn how potatoes are planted, grown and harvested. It also includes accurate educational information about potatoes.

“Not only does the program bring agriculture into the classroom, it provides teachers with fun and free resources to incorporate the topic in their lessons,” Bartels said. “Potatoes are grown by Texas farmers and are commonly found in home gardens. This book, along with its activities, will help students make the connection between agriculture and the food they eat.”

TFB will provide free resources, including a TEKS-aligned educator’s guide.

The Ag Literacy Week Book Program is open to Texas public, private or homeschool educators who teach kindergarten through fifth grade.

Click here to sign up. Sign up closes Feb. 3.

Teachers will receive their copy of the book and an educator’s guide with lessons and activities in the mail in March.

Teachers are also asked to share photos on social media with the hashtag #ReadAgBooksTX2025 as they read the books to their class during the week of March 17-21.

Teachers who tag TFB on social media and use the hashtag will be entered into a drawing. Only public posts will count toward the drawing.

For more information and to sign up, visit the Ag Literacy Week Book Program section on the Ag in the Classroom webpage at texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.

Contact TFB Educational Outreach with questions at edoutreach@txfb.org or call 254-751-2569.