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Richland County Farmers Salute Local Teachers Six Richland County teachers were honored recently for their efforts in bringing the true farm story to their students. Farmer and volunteer members of the Richland County Farm Bureau saluted the efforts of Mary Brown, Carole McConkey , Kathleen Garnett, and Erika Hattler, all of St. Peter’s Catholic School, Peter Reibold of Cardinal Newman High School, and Mildred Robinson of VV Reid Elementary School, at the 2005 Richland County Farm Bureau annual meeting. The teachers recently completed an intensive week of study at the annual South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation’s (SCFB) Ag in the Classroom Institute in Santee, SC, where they received three hours of graduate credit (good towards their teacher re-certification) from Clemson University. Details from the Institute were shared as teachers thanked Richland County Farm Bureau for sponsoring the in-service program. Teacher Carole McConkey stated, “I enjoyed the whole experience. I learned so much about agriculture and I thought I knew a lot having grown up on a farm. The statistics, the careers, the excitement of the presenters and the farm tour destinations stirred excitement that I want to take to my class.” Mary Brown noted that Institute participants were asked to imagine the challenges our country would face if we were as dependent on foreign countries for our food as we are for our energy resources. “I’m so proud that we live in a country where agriculture is our top industry, and so thankful and appreciative to those who grow our food and fiber,” she said. President Jim Wise said, “Richland County Farm Bureau is proud to support these teachers. With their dedication and new knowledge, the story of agriculture will be passed along to today’s students. Most folks don’t realize the economic impact of agriculture in our state, even in those places commonly thought of as metro areas. Richland County agriculture generated more than $15.5 million at the farm gate last year, and agriculture is our state’s second-largest industry.” SCFB’s Ag in the Classroom program offers cost-free grade specific lesson plans, related materials and year-round in-service workshops to South Carolina pre-kindergarten through high school teachers, schools and school districts. For more information or to schedule an in-service workshop, call Ag in the Classroom Director Maria Samot, 1-800-628-4571.
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# [Editor’s note: To receive the release and photos as hard copies, please email Maria Samot or call at (803) 936-4237.] |
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