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Local Farmers Donate Children’s Ag Books (Springdale, SC, March 16, 2007)—First graders at Springdale Elementary have new books at their fingertips that accurately portray the lives and work of farm families, thanks to an initiative launched by local farmers. Members of the Lexington County Farm Bureau donated two books about agriculture to Springdale Elementary through the new Accurate Ag Books initiative for early elementary children. “Many children’s books available today portray farming in a way that perpetuates common misconceptions about agriculture,” said Catherine Porth, Women’s Chair of Lexington County Farm Bureau. “Our goal with this initiative is to provide early readers with fun, creatively written books that convey information about agriculture that is based in reality,” said Porth. During the farmers’ visit to Springdale Elementary’s first grade classes, they presented and read A Seed In Need: A First Look at the Plant Cycle by Sam Godwin and I Drive A Tractor by Sarah Bridges. The farmers also helped the children complete short educational activities based on the books, such as Growing Green Beans. The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture recently began identifying children’s books that teach fact-based information about agriculture and farm and ranch life. The Foundation reviewed a wide range of available books and identified 125 for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and elementary age students. “The books that we’re recommending depict today’s agriculture using contemporary images and text,” said Betty Wolanyk, the Foundation’s director of education and research. “We are also working hard to ensure that the books about agriculture that we recommend are free from stereotypes as much as possible,” she said. The Accurate Ag Books initiative was launched in February 2007. Farm Bureau members active in Young Farmer & Rancher, Women’s Leadership, and other programs are involved in the project. Additional information is available from county and state Farm Bureaus.
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# [Editor’s note: Photo(s) enclosed; please see cut lines on email message. To receive the release and photos as hard copies, please contact Maria Samot at (803) 936-4237 or msamot@scfb.com.]
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