Children’s books feature farm and food facts
It’s pretty neat when a student checks out an ag-related book from their school library. “But what’s even more exciting is when a teacher checks one out to use with her students,” says Ag Literacy Coordinator Rhodora Collins. “All of a sudden, an entire class learns new facts about agriculture.” Facts like:
• A worker honeybee may visit 30,000 flowers during her five-week lifespan—but she doesn’t leave the hive until she is over three weeks old.
• Drones with thermal or near-infrared cameras can be used to monitor the health of farm crops.
• In the 1930s the Ford Motor Company began using soybean plastic and paint in its cars, leading Henry Ford to boast that a bushel of soybeans goes into every car.
2020 marks the 19th year ag-related books will be donated to schools across the county. In those 19 years, a total of 3,650 items—mostly books, but a few videos and magazines as well—have been donated.
Local sponsors make the book donations possible. Farm and food-related businesses, organizations, and farm families step up each year to provide funds needed to purchase the books. Upon opening each donated book, readers will see a label recognizing the sponsor or sponsors of that title.
Five titles will be donated this year, including “Agricultural Drones” by Simon Rose, “Bread Lab” by Kim Binczewski & Bethany Econopouly, “Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car” by Peggy Thomas, “Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera” by Candace Fleming, and “Now You Know What You Eat” by Valorie Fisher.
Thirty-four schools will benefit from this effort. Each library will receive titles appropriate to the grade levels within that building.
Many thanks to our generous sponsors:
Barry, Kris, and Kelly Aves, Kirkland
Honey Hill Orchard, Waterman
La Terra Partners, Ryan & Deanne Frieders
Sycamore Meijer Store
DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
