Nova Scotia Celebrates First National Agricultural Literacy Week

Nova Scotia students are learning about the important role agriculture plays in their community.

During Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week, which runs until Saturday, March 3, students have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate agriculture by reading books about farming, watching videos and hosting farmers and other agricultural community representatives in their classrooms.

"I commend all volunteers and schools taking part in the inaugural Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week," said Agriculture Minister John MacDonell. "Meeting and talking to farmers will help our students gain perspective on the important role agriculture plays in our province's economy and the wide variety of employment opportunities that exist in Nova Scotia."

Mr. MacDonell will introduce an online audio book called Spelling It Out when he visits Maple Ridge Elementary School in Lantz, Hants Co., on Friday. The audio book helps elementary students learn about Nova Scotia's diverse agricultural industry.

The e-book is found at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/agaware/video-ebook.shtml.

"While 2012 marks the fifth time Agriculture Literacy Week has been celebrated in Nova Scotia, we are thrilled to participate in the first ever Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week," said Rick Hoeg, agricultural education liaison. "In Canada, most families are two or three generations away from the farm. Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week provides an opportunity to help young Nova Scotians understand the importance and value of agriculture in our lives."

Volunteers from the agricultural community will visit more than 80 Grade 2 and 3 classrooms across the province to read a book and talk to students about the agricultural industry. The books will help teachers and students explore the science and culture of farming. The books will stay in the classroom.

"The students are eager to learn," said Beth Densmore, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture. "Question and answer sessions often start before the story book begins. We are often so busy farming that we forget the importance of telling our own stories."

More than 850 classrooms across Canada will celebrate Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week.

"Agriculture matters to Canadians," said Ron Podbielski, vice-president of communications and corporate social responsibility at Farm Credit Canada.

"Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week is an opportunity for students across Canada to learn more about the industry and its valuable contributions to the economy and world. The students of today will be the producers and consumers of tomorrow. Increasing their agricultural literacy is an important part of our long-term commitment to growing the business of agriculture."

Canadian Agricultural Literacy Week is sponsored by Farm Credit Canada and organized locally by the Department of Agriculture and the Nova Scotia Agricultural Awareness Committee.