By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

A book showcasing seasons changing, relationships and a tree orchard was featured at a book signing at Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) 91st Annual Meeting.

Roxanne Troup, the author of My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me, spoke with TFB members and signed copies of the book.

The book was named the 2024 American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture (AFBFA) Book of the Year, recognizing Troup’s accurate agricultural writing and showing children the importance of agriculture.

“I think a lot of times people view agriculture as maybe unimportant or an old way of living,” Troup said. “I don’t think they realize how important it is that we know where our food comes from.”

The book celebrates the bonds between generations, the cycles of nature and the beauty of shared traditions. It follows the relationship between a grandfather and his granddaughter and is centered around a special pecan tree planted on the day she was born.

“It is a book about pecan farming and family,” Troup said. “It’s all about Grandpa, his granddaughter and the tree that he plants for her on the day she’s born. She learns how the pecan grows and is harvested and recognizes the difference between the way Grandpa takes care of her singular tree and the way he takes care of the trees in the orchard.”

Troup also noted the book connects to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) topics through the agricultural technology that’s highlighted in the book.

“It’s important that kids see agriculture as fresh and new,” she said. “The technology used in agriculture is really impressive. For kids to see that connection is really cool for STEM.”

The “Book of the Year” award springs from the Foundation’s effort to identify accurate ag Books, a collection of nearly 500 books for children, teenagers and adults that accurately cover agricultural topics.

Book of the Year selections are educational, help to create positive public perceptions about agriculture, inspire readers to learn more and touch their readers’ lives, as well as tell the farmer’s story.

View a list of accurate ag books at agfoundation.org.

Click here for Ag in the Classroom resources from Texas Farm Bureau.