During the month of March, over 5,300 Manitoba students will participate in Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba’s (AITC-M) flagship program, Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM). CALM encourages students to learn about and celebrate Canada’s agriculture and food story by introducing them to farmers and agricultural representatives, doing a fun activity and having an agriculture-themed book read to them. Students are able to put a face to agriculture and make a connection to the food they eat and the journey it takes to get on their plate.
Across Manitoba, AITC-M anticipates reaching over 5,300 students in 261 classrooms through a team of 117 dedicated volunteers.
“Most students are three generations removed from the farm, so it’s important they learn where their food comes from. Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month is the perfect way for students to build agriculture awareness and discover how connected we are to agriculture every day,” says Sue Clayton, Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba’s Executive Director. “Students are engaged from beginning to end. Not only do students hear from our volunteers who work in agriculture, but they also do a fun activity such as making butter or crushing canola, creating a memorable and educational experience.”
Agriculture in the Classroom Canada represents the nine provinces delivering CALM nationally for the seventh year, expecting to impact 30,000 students in over 800 classrooms. “Our Food Has a Story” is the annual theme for CALM.
Special events during Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month in Manitoba include:
Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler and local dairy farmer Chelsea Boonstra are joining AITC-M in celebrating CALM with K-12 students at Lightly School on Clearwater Colony on March 2. Minister Ralph Eichler will proclaim March 2018 to be Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month in Manitoba. Chelsea will share her food story and crush canola with the students.
A Grade 4-6 class at Norquay School will meet Chrissy Troy, AITC-M volunteer and Morning Show Host on Virgin Radio, to hear her food story about living on a farm. Together, they will make butter from scratch and read an agriculture-themed book on March 1.
AITC-M French volunteers Raymond and Shelley Curé, from St. Pierre-Jolys, joins Grade 3 students at École Guyot on March 23, to talk about their dairy farm and make butter with students. This is one of 30 French visits taking place in 14 schools.
CALM helps young Canadians understand why agriculture is important to their lives and their communities. CALM will build on its past success of engaging and connecting the people who work in the agriculture sector to teachers and students across the country, which is crucial for informing future consumers.
