National Agriculture Week March 23 – March 29
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Washtenaw County Farm Bureau (WCFB) and area Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs will join countless other organizations across the country to celebrate agriculture’s important role in daily life as part of National Ag Week March 23 – 29 and Ag Day on Tuesday March 25th. Our exciting panoply of local activities is designed to raise awareness about the many ways America’s farmers provide food, fiber and fuel for our communities, our nation and the world.
To welcome the first baby born during National Ag Week, a basket of items will be donated to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital along with a card that says: “A gift from the heart for your little one from the caring farmers of Washtenaw County”. Tucked into the basket: A board book about farming, a layette, onesies, receiving blankets, socks, baby wipes, assorted lotions and shampoo, and beauty products to pamper the new mom.
WCFB is also partnering with the Dexter District Library to showcase a display of Washtenaw County agriculture facts, books and brochures highlighting various types of farming, commodities and agriculturally-based careers. The display will also feature a photo journal of the daily life adventures of a local farm girl.
The FFA Chapters at Manchester, Milan and Saline high schools are sending members into area elementary schools to help teach students about where their food comes from by reading the book Who Grew My Soup. The story by Tom Darbyshire is a charming tale in light verse that includes a hot-air balloon adventure for a young boy who visits farmers and their fields to discover the source of his lunchtime soup.
Teachers at Community Day Care and Preschool (CDC) in Ann Arbor will also read Darbyshire’s book to their pre-kindergarten group and complete the session with an indoor seed-planting activity so the students can grow vegetables for their own “harvest soup” in CDC’s on-site garden.
The teaching and fun continues at one of CDC’s school-age, after school programs at Lawton Elementary School in Ann Arbor where students in Lawton Kids Club can choose to play Safety Bingo as a way to learn about farm and home safety, or the Safety First board game that teaches about what’s required to be a safe, successful and environmentally conscientious farmer. Game prizes will be ag-related and children will have fresh veggies and fruit to snack on during the activities.
“We are very excited that our students and staff get to meet a farmer and participate in celebrating National Ag Week”, said Laura Stidham, CDC’s Executive Director. “Watching and helping plants grow, and learning about where our food comes from is an important part of our curriculum”, Stidham said.
A “Mystery Guest” dressed as a beekeeper will surprise students in a Saline school kindergarten class. The speaker will share bee-related activities with students and read the American Farm Bureau Foundation’s 2014 Book of the Year: The Beeman by Laurie Krebs, which introduces young readers to bees, beekeepers and pollinators.
WCFB will cap-off National Ag Week by hosting the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Young Farmer District 3 Discussion Meet that includes eligible young leaders, ages 18 – 35, from Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The meet will be held Friday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. at David Jedele’s Farm Shop in Saline. The contest is not a debate, but rather a lively discussion about relevant topics affecting agriculture. Winners at the district level will advance to compete in the state discussion meet in December.
But wait! There’s more!
Residents of Washtenaw County are cordially invited to help WCFB celebrate agriculture by entering a contest to win “Great Eats during National Ag Week”!
The winner will receive a FREE lunch (for 12 people) from Zingerman’s Roadhouse delivered to their place of work on Friday, March 28th. Zingerman’s is a great supporter of agriculture, and sources many of its menu ingredients locally, including locally raised meat.
To qualify for the contest, you must live in Washtenaw County. Only one submission per individual is allowed per day. Farm Bureau membership is NOT required. The contest closes at 5p.m. on Wednesday March 26th. One winner will be drawn at random, and only the winner will be notified by 7p.m. Wednesday evening to make arrangements for the Friday lunch delivery. All others’ contact information will be discarded at the close of the contest. You can enter the drawing for “Great Eats during National Ag Week” by visiting Washtenaw County Farm Bureau’s Facebook page or clicking on the entry form here.
That’s it! No strings and no other requirements, although, may we suggest that during National Ag Week, or any other time of the year, you celebrate agriculture by thanking a farmer for everything they do to provide for all of us 356 days a year!
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