By Julie Tomascik
Editor

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

TFB is launching the second-annual Ag Literacy Week Book Program, which will be held in conjunction with National Ag Week on March 20-24.

Teachers can sign up to receive an accurate ag book to read during Ag Literacy Week, and it’s free.

“This program offers teachers an opportunity to increase agricultural literacy among their students through the use of 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 I LOVE Strawberries! The short book offers a child’s perspective on growing strawberries. It also helps students understand the hard work and dedication it takes to get food from the field to the table.

“The program takes place over one week and is a fantastic way to easily make an impact on students using a food that most students can’t resist—strawberries!” Bartels said. “K-5 teachers of all subjects can incorporate the book into their classrooms, and Farm Bureau will provide activities and resources for teachers to use.”

Those free resources include an educator’s guide that provides lessons and activities that focus on science, math, ELAR and nutrition.

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

Bartels noted that participating classrooms will receive a special message and reading from the book’s author, Shannon Anderson.

Sign up for the program closes Jan. 23. Click here to sign up.

Teachers will receive their copy of the book in the mail by March 13.

Teachers are also asked to share photos on social media with the hashtag #ReadAgBooksTX2023 as they are reading the books to their class during the week of March 20-24.

And sharing about agricultural literacy efforts online has its benefits. Teachers who tag TFB on social media and use the hashtag will be entered into a drawing. Only public posts will count toward this drawing.

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

TFB also works year-round to increase agricultural literacy in Texas classrooms through a variety of in-classroom programs, lessons, resources, grants and teacher professional development. More information on those opportunities and resources is available at texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.

Contact Bartels with questions at edoutreach@txfb.org or call 254-751-2569.