By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Texas teachers have more opportunities to grow agricultural literacy in the classroom with help from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB).
This year, TFB is launching Ag Literacy Week, which will be held in conjunction with National Ag Week on March 21-25.
Teachers can sign up to receive an accurate ag book to read during Ag Literacy Week, and it’s free.
“This week offers teachers across the state an opportunity to read an accurate ag book to their classes to expand student knowledge about agriculture,” said Jordan Bartels, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Educational Outreach.
The free book that will be provided by TFB is Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car. The short book highlights how Henry Ford was determined to build his most inventive car—one completely made of soybeans. The book inspires readers to think innovatively and includes accurate, educational information about soybeans.
“The best part about the program is it provides teachers with free resources and a fun way to incorporate agriculture in the classroom,” Bartels said.
Those free resources include an educator’s guide. Students will learn about the many uses of soybeans, plant growth, where soybeans are grown and more.
The Ag Literacy Week Book Program is open to Texas public, private or homeschool educators who teach kindergarten through fifth grade.
Sign up for the program closes Feb. 11. Click here to sign up.
Teachers will receive their copy of the book in the mail by March 18.
Teachers are also asked to share photos on social media with the hashtag #ReadAgBooksTX as they are reading the books to their class during the week of March 21-25.
“We’re asking teachers to help us spread the message of agricultural literacy by posting a photo on social media of the book being read in the classroom,” Bartels said.
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 jbartels@txfb.org or call 254-751-2569.