As a father, and now a grandfather, one of the most bittersweet moments each year is watching my children and grandchildren board the bus for the first day of school. It's easy to feel a little sad that time has passed so quickly, but also excited for all they will be starting in the new school year.
The start of a new school year is also a great opportunity to plant agricultural education seeds for the next school year. These seeds will help students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the role agriculture plays in our lives. As generations move away from the farm, the gap between agriculture and consumers widens. That's why agricultural education is so important – it bridges the gap and shows the next generation all that agriculture has to offer.
At Farm Bureau, we're already working head-on to close this gap through our American Farm Bureau Agriculture Foundation. The Foundation continually works to increase awareness and understanding of agriculture by providing resources for educators, tools for parents to use at home, and opportunities for Farm Bureau members to volunteer in local schools.
For educators and volunteers, the Foundation offers a wide range of resources to bring agriculture into the classroom in meaningful and engaging ways. The Foundation's website features lesson plans, games, activities, and videos designed to be accessible and applicable across a variety of grade levels and class sizes. Each resource is thoroughly researched, created by education professionals, and reviewed by subject matter experts, so teachers can be confident in its accuracy. There are also scholarships and training programs, such as On the Farm STEM training, to better prepare educators for the mission of agricultural education.
For parents, the Foundation offers a number of resources to help you teach your children more about agriculture at home. A great way for parents and children to learn together is with agriculturally accurate children's books published by the Foundation's Feeding Minds Press. These books help share the world of agriculture in a fun and unique way. Whether they're reading about Chuck and his ice cream wish or learning about the soil in Jackie's garden, you can help your children develop a love of reading and a deeper understanding of agriculture. And with September 6th being National Reading Day, it's the perfect time to check out what Feeding Minds Press has to offer. Who knows, you might even start a new tradition with your family!
If you're a Farm Bureau member looking for ways to give back, there are plenty of opportunities to promote agricultural education in your community. A great way to get started is to contact your county or state Farm Bureau to see what opportunities are already available. If there aren't any, we encourage you to start something new. Consider volunteering to read books about precision agriculture at your local elementary school or library, organizing farm tours, or setting up a booth to talk about agriculture at your county fair or other local event. Another easy way is to donate books and resources to support local teachers or send a message to your local library requesting Feeding Mind Press books.
Our Foundation relies on generous supporters like you, and if you're looking for another meaningful way to contribute, please consider making a donation to help us continue our great agricultural literacy work.
However you choose to volunteer or donate, know that your efforts are making a real difference to our young people. On behalf of the Foundation's board and staff, I would like to express my gratitude to the thousands of volunteers and donors across the country who work with us to advance agricultural education.
As we enter back to school, let us remember that the future of agriculture rests on today's students. Farm Bureau and our Foundation are committed to this mission, but it takes a collaborative effort to ensure agricultural education remains a priority in our schools and communities. Whether you're an educator, a parent or a Farm Bureau member looking to give back, you have a role to play. Let's see this “back to school” season as an opportunity to inspire young minds and work to ensure that agricultural traditions continue for the next generation.