Agriculture Literacy Week

In celebration of New York agriculture, volunteers throughout the state will read a book with an agricultural theme to elementary school students. 

This Year's Book   I LOVE Strawberries! Written by Shannon Anderson | Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett Jolie LOVES strawberries - and she’s on an unstoppable (and hilarious) mission to grow her own food from seedling to table in this colorful introduction to the joy of growing the popular perennial. Through Jolie's comical scrapbook-style journal entries, young readers will learn how she convinces the "old people" (aka her parents) to let her grow her own strawberries. Growing strawberries is a lot of work and responsibility, but Jolie is ready with the help of her faithful rabbit Munchy! Together they find out just how delicious, rewarding, and sometimes complicated it can be to grow your own food. Creating a garden calendar and notebook, how strawberries grow, what pests to look out for in a garden, why ladybugs are helpful, and how a good gardener takes care of strawberry plants are all explained in this fun and educational story.

How Does Agricultural Literacy Week (ALW) Work?

Adults volunteer to engage students in a paired hands-on activity related to the book to extend learning. The book will be donated to the school or classroom library with a bookplate recognizing the donor and our celebration of New York Agricultural Literacy Week. In New York State, 2,300 books were donated last year while 75,000 elementary students participated in an experiential learning activity.

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Start to finish the program takes approximately 45 minutes per classroom

1. Agricultural Literacy Week volunteers work with their county's coordinator to set up visits to local schools
2. Volunteers read the selected book aloud to the students.
3. Following the reading, volunteers conduct an activity with students and share their experiences in agriculture.
4. The book is donated to the school or classroom library for students to enjoy and reference throughout the school year.

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All activity materials are prepared by NYAITC and schools get to keep a copy of the book for their school or classroom library.

Last updated February 2, 2024