I plan to soon introduce a resolution recognizing March 16th – 20th as Ag Literacy Week in Pennsylvania.

Ag Literacy Week is made possible by the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation which was created in 1986 with the mission to preserve and promote agriculture as the Commonwealth’s largest industry. This week places special emphasis on connecting volunteers from the agricultural community to local classrooms to share the story of agriculture and the wide variety of subjects it touches: history, science, math, communications, leadership, and technology.

Readers who participate in Pennsylvania Ag Literacy Week have the opportunity to talk about farming and agriculture through a book they read as well as share their own story about farming or agricultural programs they are involved or connected with.  After this, volunteers can engage further with students through an activity developed by the foundation that reinforces the concepts learned in their reading. The book is then donated to the classroom teacher along with educational activities and resources to use throughout the school year.

I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this resolution to celebrate the significant role agriculture plays in educating our youth and giving back to our communities.