Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
The Autauga County Young Farmers chapter recently partnered with several state agricultural organizations to distribute children’s books and educational materials aimed at strengthening agricultural literacy among local students.
In partnership with the Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership division, Alabama Ag in the Classroom, the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation, and Young Farmers of Alabama, the chapter donated 40 copies of “I Love Blueberries,” along with educator guides, to six local elementary schools and the Autauga-Prattville Public Library. The book is the American Farm Bureau Federation Book of the Year and is recommended for grades K-3.
The educator guides include hands-on classroom activities designed to connect students with agriculture, including “Go Blue! Germinating Blueberries,” “Super-Blueberry!” which highlights the health benefits of blueberries, “What is hydroponics?”, “It’s All About the Water! Water Use in Farming,” and “Literate Works, Poems for Ag!”
Organizers said the project is intended to help children better understand where their food comes from and the role agriculture plays in daily life.
“As the wife of an educator, daughter of a farmer, and a mother, agricultural literacy is incredibly important to me,” said Ellie Watson, Autauga County Young Farmers Chair and South-at-large representative on the State Young Farmers Committee. “For the second year, our Young Farmers group has shared accurate agriculture books with our local schools. As children grow disconnected from agriculture, it’s more important than ever to provide opportunities for these students to learn about where their food comes from. We find children often think their food comes from the grocery store and don’t think much beyond that point. Reminding them through books that farmers are working hard to grow safe, high-quality foods is why our Young Farmers group is proud to participate in this project.”
The Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation said the initiative is part of a broader mission to promote agricultural education and develop future leaders in the industry.
“Providing the American Farm Bureau’s Book of the Year, I Love Blueberries, is just one of the many ways the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation creates opportunities to advocate for agriculture. From grants for elementary schools to sending middle school teachers to Alabama Ag in the Classroom to providing scholarships for college students across the state, the Foundation is working to promote agriculture while preparing the next crop of agricultural leaders. Having Alfa’s Young Farmers and Women’s Leadership Committees work together on this project shows the importance of advocating for agriculture across all ages,” said Hunter McBrayer, director of ag leadership programs and Young Farmers at the Alabama Farmers Federation.
“Our hope is that these resources will encourage learning about agriculture while also educating young people about where their daily food and fiber come from,” said Lisa Lake and Forrest Anders, chairs of the State Women’s Leadership and Young Farmers Committees in a letter delivered to teachers across the state.
The donated books and materials are expected to be used in classrooms and library programming to support early agricultural education efforts across Autauga County.
Through the collaboration, organizers hope to continue expanding agricultural awareness among students while reinforcing the importance of farming and food production in everyday life.
