Photo by Tom Rivers
Farmers are a few weeks behind the planting season due to a wet spring. An operator at Root Brothers Farm gets the ground ready this morning at the corner of Long Bridge Road and Route 31 in the town of Albion.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County orchards are in their glory right now, with apple and fruit trees blooming for the annual spring pollination.
These photos show apple blossoms at Watt Farms on Route 98 in Albion.
The bloom is about two weeks behind schedule due to the cool spring weather, the New York Apple Association said.
“For one of the most beautiful spring sights you’ll ever see, take a ride around the countryside this weekend or next,” said NYAA President Jim Allen. “With over 55,000 acres of apple trees across the state, we’ve got millions of branches near you.”
Allen says that growers are expecting a “business as usual”-sized crop this fall following last year’s very large crop. The 2013 crop totaled out about 32 million bushels; the state’s average is 29.5 million bushels. The 2013 crop has moved to market quickly, and remaining supplies are expected to be sold out in plenty of time before the new crop arrives.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion FFA planted 560 apple trees this afternoon, with some help from three local farmers. Sarah Millspaugh, the FFA president, is seated in the planter.
The trees cover about a half-acre of a 5-acre “land lab” that started two years ago along Clarendon Road. After using the land for corn, the FFA decided to diversify.
Sara Millspaugh is seated in the planter. Other members of the crew, clockwise from Millspaugh, include Megan Rosato, Vivian Rivers, Adam Kirby, Adam Krenning, Steve Nesbitt and Jayne Bannister.
They planted Honeycrisp and Fuji trees that were donated by Nesbitt Fruit Farms.
The trees are spaced about 2 1/2 feet apart. They will be in a high density spindle system. It will take about four years before they bear a mature crop.
FFA alumnus Adam Kirby disked the field earlier in the day, ot break up clumps of dirt and to get more air in the ground. Steve Nesbitt worked with the students to make sure the trees were planted at a 90-degree angle and the dirt was tamped down.
FFA Advisor Adam Krenning, left, and Albion apple grower Steve Nesbitt discuss tree planting strategy at a field by Clarendon Road. Barry Flansburg is behind the steering wheel.
Barry Flansburg drove the tractor and FFA advisor Adam Krenning also worked with the crew of students that included Sara Millspaugh, Megan Rosato, Jayne Bannister and Vivian Rivers.
Most of the land lab will continue to be used for corn. Some of the ground will be devoted to pumpkins.
The trees were spaced 2 1/2 apart. They should bear a full crop of apples in about four years.
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The FFA State Convention is a showcase for student achievement and also inspirational speakers. On Friday night the winner of the extemporaneous speaking contest, Kaylee Eaton of the Cattaraugus-Little Valley FFA, delivers her winning speech in front of a crowd of about 1,000 people in the Medina High School Auditorium.
Eaton’s speech was about the emergence and promise of urban farming. There has been a “huge revolution in agriculture” with hydroponics, aquaculture and rooftop gardening, Eaton said. Urban farmers benefit with customers who are close by, she said.
Matt Lohr of Virginia shared about his experiences in the FFA and meeting his wife Andrea through the program. Lohr said his wife was a giving person who inspired others. She died at age 36 on July 10, 2011, after a five-year battle with breast cancer.
“The ultimate gift you can do is make a difference in the lives of people around us,” Lohr said.
He also shared about Roger Bannister, an Englishman who was the first to run a mile in under 4 minutes. For 75 years, runners tried to break that threshold but it didn’t happen until May 6, 1954.
Bannister’s achievement was a breakthrough for runners, and he showed the world it was possible.
“Now 3,500 runners have done it,” Lohr said.
He urged the FFA students to set high goals.
“Are you living life with a dream? Do you have a purpose?”
One of the parking areas by Medina High School is lined with tractors.
A local band, Savage Cabbage, performed Friday night in the high school gymnasium. Here lead singer Frank Starowitz belts out a note from a hard-rocking song. Mike Moore is in the middle with Gary Tarr at left.
Frank and his brother John Starowitz perform in the band together. They are also co-owners of Star Growers.
John Starowitz plays the guitar with the band Savage Cabbage.
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Two local FFA students – Jayne Bannister, left, of Albion and Jack Hill of Medina – were recognized during the FFA State Convention today in Medina.
Jack, a Medina eighth-grader, won first place in the state for reciting and delivering the FFA junior creed. That qualifies him to compete in the National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in October.
Jack was judged on his accuracy and mannerisms in delivering the creed. Judges then asked follow-up questions.
Jack said he loves FFA and the agriculture community.
“I’m in love with tractors and farming in general,” he said. “I’ve grown up loving anything with an engine in it.”
Jayne Bannister, a junior at Albion, was elected president of District 9 for the FFA. That includes chapters in Albion, Medina, the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, Letchworth, Pioneer and two new chapters at Barker and Roy-Hart.
Jayne will connect with the local chapters, sharing leadership development programs and other FFA initiatives. She also was recently picked as the Niagara-Orleans dairy princess.
Jayne said she will use the roles to help educate the public about agriculture.
“There is a misunderstanding about what agriculture is with the general public,” she said. “We need to bridge that gap.”
After high school, she plans to major in animal science with a minor in education. She said she may pursue being an agricultural teacher. She also would be happy returning to her family’s beef and fruit farm at Point Breeze.
File photo by Tom Rivers – Ken Nice, a fruit grower in Knowlesville, walks through his orchard last May when the trees were in bloom. Orleans County’s farm revenue is dominated by fruit, vegetables and other crops.
The revenue from Orleans County farms totaled $150.3 million in 2012 for sales of fruit, vegetables, milk, livestock and other farm products, a 48.8 percent jump from the $101.0 million recorded in 2007, according to the Agricultural Census.
State-wide, the numbers increased 24.9 percent to $5.52 billion in 2012. That was up by $1.1 billion from the $4.42 billion in 2007, according to the federal Ag Census, which is done every five years.
The county breakdowns show the agricultural is a very big business locally, especially in the four GLOW counties. Wyoming County, which was ranked second overall in 2007, has claimed the top spot in the state with the new Census. Revenue at Wyoming County farms totaled $318.5 million in 2012, up from the $229.9 million in 2007.
Suffolk County, which has a thriving greenhouse and aquaculture industry on Long Island, was the top farm county in 2007 but has fallen to third in the new Census. Suffolk is behind Wyoming and Cayuga, another strong dairy county, at $293.5 million.
Some of the dairy animals are pictured at Poverty Hill Farms in Albion. Dairy and livestock make up a small portion of the Orleans County farm sector.
Genesee, Orleans County’s southern neighbor, ranks fourth overall in the state at $236.9 million, which is up from the $177.8 million in 2007. Livingston is ranked eighth overall in the state at $186.8 million.
Orleans is just out of the top 10. It ranks 13th at $150.3 million. The county’s ag bounty is nearly all crops at $138.5 million. Dairy, poultry and livestock make up less than 10 percent at $11.9 million.
The county’s ag revenue has more than doubled in 10 years. In 2002, the total was $68.9 million. State-wide ag revenue jumped 74 percent from 2002 to 2012, from $3.18 billion to $5.54 billion.
Corn prices were on the rise between 2007 and 2012, helping to fuel the increase in farm revenues. This photo shows the grain storage facilities owned by Panek Farms on County House Road in Albion.
Here is a list of the state’s top 15 counties for ag revenue:
1) Wyoming: $318.5 million
2) Cayuga: $293.5 million
3) Suffolk: $239.8 million
4) Genesee: $237.0 million
5) Wayne: $205.6 million
6) St. Lawrence: $187.4 million
7) Steuben: $187.2 million
8) Livingston: $186.8 million
9) Jefferson: $183.6 million
10) Ontario: $180.3 million
11) Chautauqua: $161.8 million
12) Onondaga: $152.1 million
13) Orleans: $150.3 million
14) Clinton: $149.0 million
15) Washington: $139.1 million
Photos by Tom Rivers – Medina FFA leaders have been busy preparing for this week’s state convention. Some of the leaders include, from left: Cassidy Albone, President Ben Martin and Hayden Allis. About 1,200 students, and 200 advisors and ag teachers are expected in town from May 8-10.
MEDINA – A few hundred wooden folding chairs were delivered this morning. They are stacked in the hallway at Medina High School. They will be moved to the gymnasium on Thursday.
The chairs are just one of numerous details that have been tended to for the FFA State Convention this Thursday through Saturday at Medina. The Medina FFA Chapter is hosting the event for the first time since 2001. About 1,200 students from FFA chapters throughout the state will be at Medina for competitions, fun and inspiration. Most of the students will be staying at hotels in either Batavia or Lockport.
The event has been a lot of work the past year for the Medina chapter.
“We couldn’t have done this without a lot of help,” said Ben Martin, Medina’s FFA president.
The local farm community, FFA alumni and many others have pitched in to prepare for the convention.
About 200 people, many of them Medina teachers, will volunteer to judge more than 30 different competitions at the convention. Local ag businesses – Forrestel Farms, SK Herefords, Western New York Energy and Lamb Farms – will provide tours to students.
Medina’s downtown will also be featured on wagon tours. Todd Bensley, a Medina teacher and local historian, will discuss the downtown’s Medina sandstone heritage. Students will be able to tour the Bent’s Opera House and the downtown business district.
“We want to give them a taste of a small town,” Martin said. “We want to show that we have a huge historical background.”
The convention includes a Friday night concert at 9 p.m. at Vets Park. Savage Cabbage, a rock band that includes farmers John and Frank Starowitz, will perform. That concert also will include a carnival at the park.
The state officers for the FFA rehearse on stage this morning for a skit as part of the FFA State Convention. This year’s theme is “Harvest.”
The state officers for FFA arrived in Medina on Monday and they are polishing the three-day program that includes skits, inspirational messages and recognition for the FFA students. The officers picked the convention theme of “Harvest.”
“Harvest is more than just agriculture,” said Ashley Willits of Lowville, the state FFA president. “It could be succeeding at public speaking or climbing a ropes course for the first time.”
The officers are planning six sessions on the “Harvest” theme, with components on traditions and celebrations.
“Harvest is a process,” Willits said. “It doesn’t happen overnight.”
There are about 4,000 FFA students in the state. The program is growing. Five new chapters will be welcomed during the convention.
“The goal of the convention is to recognize everything the members do,” said Kaylin Broadwell, a past state officer who is volunteering this week. “FFA students are so focused on giving back to others. Convention is our time to recognize them.”
Albion hosted the convention last year. Next year it will be at Morrisville State College.
(Medina will have a half day of school for all students on Thursday and will be closed on Friday for the convention.)
Photo by Sarah Martin – Two local farms, Dunham Family Farms in Knowlesville and Meadowbrook Farms in Shelby, each donated 500 bushels of corn to help pay for the FFA State Convention from May 8-10 in Medina. Pictured, from left, include: William Martin, Zack Blackburn, Benjamin Martin, Chantelle Kidney, Erin Dunham and Brian Dunham.
By Sarah Martin, Medina FFA
MEDINA – It is not a rare sight to see the farming community come together. The annual FFA (Future Farmers of America) State Convention is no exception.
This Thursday through Saturday the Medina FFA Chapter will take on the responsibility and honor of hosting this year’s convention. Chapter advisor Todd Eick has been hard at work all year along with his FFA students and Medina FFA alumni.
From planning meetings to emailing and sending out letters for donations, there hasn’t been a dull moment in the 2013-2014 school year. The convention is an expensive event due to the meals and activities that are provided to the 1,200-plus students and staff that are participating.
“Our first task was to send out letters to alumni, business owners, and anyone in the farming community for donations and support,” said Chapter President Benjamin Martin. “We received an overwhelming amount of donations and not just monetary. People have been so generous with their time and willingness to help we will never be able to say thank you or express our gratitude enough.”
Two local farms, Dunham Family Farms in Knowlesville and Meadowbrook Farms in Shelby offered a unique donation: 500 bushels of corn each.
“I didn’t just want to hand them a check, I wanted to make it a learning experience for our future farmers,” said Brian Dunham.
“Watching the commodity market is an everyday occurrence and more than just one time a day,” said William Martin. “It’s important that our future farmers learn how to market their crops and know when to price and contract.”
The students did watch the market and saw how the price would change day to day with some days increasing and decreasing. Both Martin and Dunham are alumni of the Medina FFA Chapter and both expressed how proud and excited they are to have the convention coming to Medina.
“I know it’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of long hours for all of the students but I can’t imagine a better opportunity for these young adults to learn how to work together and communicate with others under such stress and pressure,” said advisor Todd Eick.
Press release, Congressman Chris Collins
More than 200 members of the House of Representatives, from both parties, are joining Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) in telling the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to back off its plan to expand federal control under the Clean Water Act.
Both agencies are seeking a rule change to give the federal government more authority by expanding the already overly broad definition of ‘navigable waters’ under the CWA.
Congressman Collins (R-Clarence) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) authored a letter to the EPA and USACE outlining strong concerns about the negative impact the proposed rule will have on farms all across the country. The letter attracted a total of 231 signatures from both Republicans and Democrats, representing more than half of the House.
The EPA and USACE proposed rule would redefine the scope of federal power under the CWA, giving the CWA jurisdiction over almost all physical areas with a connection to downstream navigable waters.
This would put features such as ditches, natural or man-made ponds, flood plains, and prairie potholes, among others, under federal control. The Members say the new rule would directly contradict prior U.S. Supreme Court decisions and is based on incomplete scientific and economic analyses.
“EPA’s overreach is already causing real harm for farmers and stalling business development across our country,” said Congressman Collins. “When I visit with farmers in my district, the heavy burdens under the Clean Water Act come up each and every time. When the bureaucrats at the EPA decide to call a divot in the ground that fills with rain a ‘navigable waterway’ under the CWA, we know our federal government has run amuck. The fact that the EPA and USACE are now looking to formally broaden the definition of ‘navigable waters’ is an insult to hard working farmers all across this country.”
“The EPA’s proposed rule is going to cause more harm than good,” said Congressman Schrader. “By adding yet another layer of unnecessary regulatory burden on our agriculture and business communities, this proposal will further hinder our country’s economic recovery and stifle job creation. The Clean Water Act is working, but this rule will create needless confusion based on bad science. I hope the administration acknowledges our concerns and heeds the advice of myself and my colleagues when we say: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“It is refreshing to see that members of Congress agree with the American Farm Bureau that it is time to ditch this rule,” said Don Parrish, senior director of regulatory relations for American Farm Bureau Federation. “This regulatory proposal is an end run around Congress and the Supreme Court, and we appreciate the efforts of Mr. Collins and Mr. Schrader to highlight the many concerns our members are expressing about the rule.”
You can read the letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Department of the Army Secretary John M. McHugh and see a list of co-signers by clicking here.
More than 100 state and national organizations are lending their support to block this proposed rule.
Photos by Sue Cook – Frost, a Hog Island sheep raised by William Trembley, will be going to Washington, D.C. on Friday.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
BARRE – Heritage breeds are a look back at the yesteryear of the way farm animals used to exist for our forefathers. One farm in Barre has taken on the responsibility on raising some of these animals that may otherwise go extinct.
Nine-year-old William Trembley is the registered farmer for a flock of Hog Island sheep. The breed originated from their namesake island in Virginia. They have been rated as critical by The Livestock Conservancy. This means that there are fewer than 200 annual registrations of the breed in the United States and they are estimated to have a global population of less than 2,000. The Hog Island sheep that William has are one of only two flocks in New York state.
“These are a breed from 1600,” said Julie Trembley, William’s mother. “You can make socks like the colonists had. You can make blankets like them, too.”
She has found that many people are interested in the wool from heritage sheep that allows people to create period pieces of clothing and goods that existed long ago.
This Friday, two of the sheep will be taking a trip to their new home in Washington, D.C. There, the Accokeek Foundation will take them in as permanent residents of their Colonial farm to become a part of their flock of Hog Island sheep from around the country.
The family originally connected with the foundation when Julie called for assistance to ensure they were taking care of the breed correctly. They spoke with Polly Festa, the livestock manager. She asked if they would be willing to donate couple lambs to the foundation for the sake of furthering the breed. William agreed that it would be a great idea and the family will begin the transport of the sheep before dawn on Friday.
William is holding one of the black variations of the Hog Island sheep. There is color variation in the breed, but it is not a breed standard for them to be mostly black or white. He is pictured with his mother Julie.
The two sheep that will be going will be a female named Frost who was born on a bitterly cold day to Martha, named after Martha Washington. The male lamb they are sending is Supersheep, who got his name from his black mask like a superhero’s. He was born to Betsy, named for Betsy Ross. The family picked the historic names in honor of the fact that they are a heritage breed. William was given the privilege of naming the sheep and his parents loved what he chose.
Julie saw an advertisement that simply read “Six sheep, need a home.” The owners, who could no longer keep them due to the need to relocate, discovered through questioning Julie that the older Trembley boys each had half of the family’s flock of American Tunis, which is another heritage breed of sheep with red coloration that date back to when Thomas Jefferson kept them. Tunis sheep are classified as rare, which is a better standing than critical. The owners felt comfortable giving the sheep to a family that already understood a heritage breed.
This year around the first week of March, during the bitter cold, little lambs were born. Eight of the nine were abandoned by the mother. The family thinks it was due to the bitter cold, but also because the flock is feral and behaves somewhat different from modern domesticated breeds, though they do remain an overall close-knit group.
“They’re like a synchronized swimming team. They don’t look left or right without being in sync with each other,” said Julie.
When the lambs were born, they needed to be fed frequently. Through diluted bottles, they are now being weaned off of milk.
The lambs’ care needs were extensive at birth. They were already freezing, and some had begun to suffer from frostbite. On top of that, they also needed to be fed every three hours and kept very warm. Julie said it was not only hard, but nearly impossible. Todd Eick, Medina’s agriculture teacher, recognized the breed when he first saw them and immediately wanted to help.
After transporting them to the school, the ag students assisted in the care of the sheep as part of their class studies. Julie said that the family made the decision that three of the sheep will be given as scholarships to Medina students that participated in their care. The family will be at the 4-H Fair in July with some of their remaining Hog Island breed, where they will show the sheep in an attempt to win ribbons.
Julie is deeply grateful for the help that the Medina students provided and that Mr. Eick was willing to reach out. Taking care of the lambs was so difficult that many helping hands made all the difference in the world.
“I really want to thank Mr. Eick, and the Medina Ag classes because they helped us bottle feed when we had eight bottle babies,” Julie said. “They’re the reason these babies survived and thrived and can go to D.C. I want to thank them for their help. We were exhausted!”
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion FFA chapter hosted its annual Mini-Farm Day today when hundreds of elementary students visited livestock, tractors and other farm equipment.
In the top photo, fourth-graders feed a llama under the care of FFA member Elizabeth Bentley.
“We’re bringing the farm to the kids,” said Adam Krenning, FFA advisor and agriculture teacher. “It’s hard to take a field trip to a farm so why not bring the farm to them.”
Elizabeth’s cousin Brian Bentley discussed tractors with a group of students. Kast Farms, Panek Farms and Bentley Brothers all brought over tractors and equipment for the exhibit.
Aaron Burnside shows some of the tractors. There were track tractors and ones with tires. The tires were taller than many of the students.
Riley Kelly, a senior, brushes the feathers on a duck he brought for the Mini-Farm Day. Students brought in all of the animals, except for the pigs. They came from Poverty Hill Farms in Albion, which is owned by the Neal family.
Today’s Mini-Farm Day capped off FFA Week at the school. The Albion chapter last year hosted the state FFA convention. Medina is hosting that event for more than 1,000 students across the state from May 8-10.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Guin Panek, left, holds her son Grady while she and her mother-in-law Kerry Panek, right, present Kathy Jurs with a free membership to the Panek Farm’s CSA in memory of Susan Bennett.
ALBION – Susan Bennett used to stop by Panek Farms, especially in June, on her home to Barre.
“She wanted to know if they were ready yet,” Kerry Panek said about her strawberry crop. “She was always cheerful and had a good word for us.”
Bennett had many friends in the community. She was active at the Barre Presbyterian Church and as bookkeeper at Al Bennett and Sons, a feed and farm supply store in Barre. Her husband Richard was a long-time county legislator.
Bennett was also a customer for Panek Farms CSA, a program the farm started last year offering a 20-week share of berries and other fruit. When Bennett died on Jan. 11 from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, the farm decided it wanted to honor Bennett by giving away a CSA share in her memory.
Panek Farms accepted nominations and received several. Sue Davis sent in one on behalf of her daughter Kathy Jurs. She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2010 when she was 29. Bennett was a steady encourager for Jurs, sending her notes and gifts while Jurs battled the disease.
Jurs beat the disease and she committed to running a half marathon in January in honor of Bennett. Jurs raised $5,123 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the most of any participant from western and central NY.
Jurs works as herdsman for the Neal family at their dairy farm down the road from the Panek’s. Jurs is well respected for her work ethic and friendliness, Kerry Panek said. Jurs also exemplifies the warm, caring, and encouraging nature of Susan, Panek said.
“She shows kindness and respect, and she was a true friend to Susan,” Panek said.
Jurs said she appreciated the CSA share, and not only for the weekly supply of nutritious food.
“I’m very grateful they chose me for this gift to honor Susan,” Jurs said. “She was a very special friend.”
Provided photo – Kerri (McKenna) Richardson was active in 4-H and showing cattle while growing up in Barre. The Albion graduate will be working as the instructor of the Agri-Business Academy at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center.
BATAVIA – An Albion native has been appointed instructor of the new Agri-Business Academy at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center.
Kerri (McKenna) Richardson had most recently been working as community educator for the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
She grew up in Barre and worked with her parents, George and Iva, at Country Lane Veterinary Services. Richardson also showed animals at local, regional and state fairs. She won the grand master showman award at the Orleans County Fair and also won the Junior Miss title.
She earned a master’s degree from Cornell University in agricultural education. In her new role she will connect students in the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership to opportunities in agriculture.
“The Genesee County area has an impressive, welcoming agricultural community that provides youth with a plethora of opportunities,” Richardson said. “I am excited begin my career as an instructor of the Agri-Business Academy and provide students with the opportunity to explore and delve into the agricultural community through experiences in agri-businesses.”
The Agri-Business Academy will start this fall. It will be available to students at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center. The Agri-Business Academy is a one-year partnership program between the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership and Genesee Community College. This college prep program is geared toward highly motivated high school seniors interested in investigating careers in the agri-business field.
Students will explore multidisciplinary professions through meetings with career guest speakers, in conjunction with job shadows and field trips at a variety of agricultural and business locations. Food management science, environmental science, global position systems technology, power machinery, international trade, or agri-tourism, are a few of the areas that will be studied.
At the completion of this one-year program, students will earn 12 SUNY college credits. The credit hour cost for academy students is $50, which is one third of the regular GCC tuition rate.
The Batavia Career and Technical Education Center is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services providing shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties.
Applications are now being accepted for this program. If you know of a student who might be interested in this program, please contact Richardson at krichardson3@gvboces.org or 585-344-7711 ext 2140 or Catherine Bennett at cbennett2@gvboces.org or 585-344-7773.
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It’s been raining a lot this morning, which follows a lot of rain on Monday.
I don’t think the farmers will be out planting corn and other crops anytime soon. The top photo shows a flooded field on Clarendon Road in Albion.
The wet fields are also keeping local baseball and softball teams indoors.
Today is forecast to reach a high of 44, followed by a high of 46 on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. It will be partly sunny on Wednesday.
The temperature is supposed to climb to 55 on Thursday with a chance for more showers.
Photos by Megan Rosato, FFA Reporter – FFA President Sara Millspaugh, left, reads “Who Grew My Soup?” to an elementary classroom on Thursday, which was Ag Literacy Day. She was joined by FFA member Mackenzie Luft.
By Kellie O’Hearn, Albion FFA Vice President
ALBION – Ag Literacy Day was this past Thursday on March 20. Ag Literacy Day is celebrated every spring by educating members in the community about agriculture.
The Albion FFA made a point to celebrate the day by reading and educating every second grade classroom in the Albion Elementary School. Fourteen FFA members and FFA officers visited seven second grade classrooms.
The FFA members read “Who Grew My Soup?” a short story about Phineas Quinn who needed to know where all the vegetables in his soup came from. The story taught the second graders that in order for them to get all their fresh produce and food, there is an entire agriculture process involved.
The students then learned about the five food groups and why each is important. They colored cut-out hands with the five groups, as a reminder to eat a balanced diet and stay healthy. Students learned plenty about how agriculture works and the processes involved in getting their families not only fresh food but also other essential items.
This group of Albion FFA students spread the word on Ag Literacy Day, sharing the story, “Who Grew My Soup?”
