Students across the province will connect with local farmers to learn more about Nova Scotia agriculture as part of Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week, which begins March 2.

Nova Scotia farmers and other members of the agricultural community will visit Grade 3 and 4 students to read books about farming.

These personal visits will allow students to learn about agriculture, connect with a farmer, and better understand the role of agriculture in their lives.

“Agricultural literacy helps build support for our agricultural sector, which plays a key role in our provincial economy,” said Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell. “It can also spark the interest of a young person in agriculture as a career choice.”

Mr. Colwell will visit a Grade 4 class at Bell Park Academic Centre in Lake Echo on Tuesday, to read from Explore Farming in Nova Scotia, a book designed for nine and 10-year olds, produced by the Department of Agriculture. The book features 14 agricultural sectors, and will be left as a gift in the classrooms, along with curriculum-related activities.

“Having the chance to read and join these young students in the classroom is a great opportunity to spread the message on the importance of agriculture,” said Dennis Boudreau, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.

The initiative is supported by Farm Credit Canada.

“Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week is a valuable initiative that gets the next generation involved by giving them more information about the industry,” said Brenda Stasuik, Farm Credit Canada director, Corporate Social Responsibility. “There are a lot of different career opportunities in Canadian agriculture, from the field to the office, if students understand the possibilities”

Source: Release