Cornell helps foster ag literacy

MORRISVILLE >> The 11th annual New York Agricultural Literacy Week took place March 20-24 in schools across New York State.

The program is coordinated by New York Agriculture in the Classroom (www.agclassroom.org/ny/) and county coordinators to give students the opportunity to learn about where their food and fiber comes from and the people who are involved in producing essential products in their lives. The statewide programis possible because of more than 1,200 communitymembers around the state who volunteer their time to visit classrooms to bring this quality learning experience to students.

Each year, a new book is selected to cover a topic related to an agricultural industry. This year’s book was “The Grapes Grow Sweet,” by Lynne Tuft.

The book tells the story of Julian, who is now old enough to take part in the grape harvest on his family’s vineyard.

This captivating story gives students a glimpse of what it is like growing up on a vineyard

and takes students through every aspect of growing grapes.

After the book is read, the volunteer does a 30 minute activity with the students related to the book’s topic and the book will then be donated to the school’s library. Last year, 2,000 books were read to more than 52,000 students across New York state, and each year the program continues to grow.

This year, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County and the Madison County Agricultural Education programs of DeRuyter, Cazenovia, Hamilton, Madison, and Stockbridge reached approximately 50 classrooms in the county alone.

Apart from these school districts, books were read at Edward R. Andrews Elementary School in Morrisville, South Side Elementary School in Canastota, and the Morrisville State College Children’s Center. The books and activities were read by school FFA members and advisors, Morrisville State College Agricultural Business students, and Madison County 4-H educators.

Organizers say they hope to continue to grow this program in Madison County to help teach more youths about agriculture and how it impacts their everyday lives.

The book and activity are targeted towards second grade classrooms but are appropriate for grades pre-K-5. For information on participating in the March 2018 program, contact the Madison County Agricul- tural Literacy Week Coordinator and 4-H Educator, Chelsea Jones, at (315) 6843001 ext. 111 or by e-mail, cjj44@cornell.edu.

For inquiries outside of Madison County, contact New York Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator, Katie Carpenter, at (518) 480-1978 or at kse45@cornell.edu.