During March, many states across the nation celebrate Agricultural Literacy Week, a dedicated time to recognize the importance of understanding agriculture in today’s world. Ag literacy is a critical part of agriculture education, and one FFA chapter in particular has made it a special part of its program.
For the past three years, the Bok North FFA chapter in Lake Wales, Florida, has developed an ag literacy initiative designed to bring agriculture into local elementary schools through reading books about agriculture and leading students in hands-on activities. FFA members read agriculture-themed books, provided by Florida Ag in the Classroom, to students in various grade levels, followed by an activity that aligns with the lesson’s theme.
“We go once a month to each school, so we do three or four visits a month, and they go to a different grade level each time,” said Jennifer Williams, one of the Bok North FFA advisors. “By the end of the school year, we’ve read to close to 5,000 kids.”
Bok North FFA President Brianna Ritchey said some previous lesson topics included honey and pollination, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and beef production. To help keep students engaged, the readings are followed by a hands-on activity. For example, after a lesson on fruits and vegetables, students participated in a fruit-tasting where they described how different fruits looked and tasted.
“Through agriculture-related book and interactive activities, we’re teaching them where food, fiber, and fuel come from, and how agriculture impacts their daily lives while fostering a greater appreciation for the agricultural industry,” said Emily McNutt, the Bok North FFA Vice President. “Students also usually share what they’ve learned with their parents, strengthening community awareness and support for agriculture.”
By reading books about agriculture and engaging students with activities, these FFA members hope to demonstrate how valuable the agriculture industry is and inspire students to make agriculture a part of their future.
“I think it’s important for students to learn about agriculture so that they can use it in the future,” Ritchey explained.
In addition to their reading and lesson plans, the chapter has another initiative where the members bring their animals to elementary schools for students to read with. This past fall, students also participated in Polk County’s Great American Teach-in, where they read a book about farms coming to schools and then brought in different farm animals for students to meet.
“A lot of kids have never seen a live chicken or a live rabbit or a live cow or anything, so it was really good to see them make that connection between the book they’re reading about the farm coming to school and animals actually being at the school,” Williams said.
Not only do students benefit from learning about and experiencing agriculture, but they also show improved reading comprehension scores as a result of these initiatives.
“When we go and teach these kids about agriculture, it not only gives them information for their future references, but when we go and read to them it also makes their understanding of reading better and raises their scores,” McNutt said.
Elementary teachers also enjoy the chapter’s initiatives, as the books read during the visits are left with the teachers to add to their classroom libraries.
“We visit each classroom once a month at least, sometimes we do it twice a month depending on the months and how the days fall, so they’re given a book from August to May at least once every month for their classroom library,” Williams explained.
The benefits are not limited to the elementary schools — FFA members also gain valuable skills through teaching the younger students, such as public speaking, time management, and communication skills.
“I’ve learned how to teach the kids and how to engage and keep them focused, as well as time management skills in having to come at a certain time and leave at a certain time, and how to cooperate with kids,” Ritchey said.
Under the guidance of their advisors, members grow in self confidence and develop communication skills that will serve them well in their future education and careers.
“We have students that we get at the beginning of the year that do not speak in the classroom, but once they go on the Ag Literacy trips, they open up. They’re able to speak in front of bodies of students where in the beginning it was struggle for them to speak,” said Hayley Neal, one of the Bok North FFA advisors.
Kate Walker is a student at Georgia College and State University. Originally from Watkinsville, Georgia, she has a passion for writing and all things agriculture.
