Support Ag Literacy Week 2025

By Blake Jackson

The annual Agriculture Literacy Week, organized by New York Ag in the Classroom and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program, invites volunteers to participate in this educational event from March 17–21, 2025. This program aims to inspire elementary students to explore agriculture and its connection to their everyday lives.

In 2024, the event saw over 3,100 books donated, engaging more than 103,000 students statewide in book readings and hands-on activities. In Chautauqua County alone, over 50 volunteers reached 3,200 elementary students, with each participating school or library receiving a book donation.

The featured book for 2025, The Pie That Molly Grew by Sue Heavenrich, illustrated by Chamisa Kellogg, takes young readers through the life cycle of a pumpkin. Molly’s journey begins with a seed and concludes with a bountiful harvest, showcasing the care and patience involved in growing food. The story ends with Molly sharing a delicious pie, emphasizing gratitude and community.

Author Sue Heavenrich, a passionate advocate for science and nature education, is based in Tioga County, New York. Her work blends her love for biology, gardening, and storytelling.

How to Get Involved

• Donations: Contributions help purchase books and activity materials for schools. Donors’ names will be featured on bookplates inside each donated book. Donations can be made via PayPal or by submitting a PDF or online donor form.
• Volunteering: Volunteers read the featured book to elementary students and lead hands-on activities. At the end of the session, the book is donated to the school library. Interested individuals can sign up using the online or PDF volunteer forms.
• School Participation: Schools can sign up to host a reader and receive free books and activity materials. Forms must be submitted by February 24, 2025.

Visit the New York Ag in the Classroom website for more information about this program and other agriculture-themed books. Join the celebration to inspire young minds and highlight the importance of agriculture in daily life!

Photo Credit: shutterstock-alex-brylov