Agricultural Literacy Week Success

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (April 4, 2024) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture program is dedicated to giving the public the opportunity to learn about and interact with our food system. In celebration of National Ag Week (March 18-22nd), schools in the area were invited to participate in New York’s Agriculture Literacy Week, organized statewide by New York Agriculture in the Classroom and coordinated locally by CCE Chautauqua.

This year, over 3,200 students at 20 different elementary schools enjoyed listening to volunteers read “I LOVE Strawberries,” written by Shannon Anderson. The story is about a young girl who is determined to show her parents she is responsible enough to take care of the perennial plant. Each class was also given fresh strawberries to taste, and volunteers helped students learn about the growth of a strawberry from seed to mature fruit with a lifecycle activity.

Fruit production is a large industry in New York, with total berry sales at $43,610,000 (2022 Agriculture Census). Connecting familiar foods to local and state agriculture helps develop youth to become more informed consumers. Josie Allen, Chautauqua County Agricultural Literacy Week Coordinator, expressed her appreciation for all who were involved with the program: “As this is my first-year coordinating Ag Literacy Week, I was blown away by the support our local community has for promoting agriculture and educating youth. I am so glad this year’s book was relatable to many students. Most kids do not have a direct connection with agriculture, and I think this book does a nice job of showing that even in your own front yard, you can be involved.”

CCE Chautauqua puts out huge thanks to the 55 volunteers and 16 financial donors who made this year’s program possible. Donors this year include Michael and Shannon Carpenter (Butternut Brook Livestock), Carlberg Farm Livestock and Produce, Chautauqua County Farm Bureau, Dan Smith, Dave Munch & Sara Toth, Farm Credit East ACA, Dan and Anna Crowell (Green Banks Farm), Jamestown Garden Club, Jay Baker (Jamestown Plastics), Janet Forbes in memory of James Forbes, Jim and Rosie Joy (JM Joy Farms), John and Carol Hardenburg, John Hemmer, Olde Chautauqua Farms, Richard and Janice Jozwiak, and Sue Harper.

The Agriculture Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated April 4, 2024