Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District sees book program spread throughout county
Jul. 2—To promote agricultural literacy among young learners, the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District has launched the "Planting the Seed to Read" Book Program.
This new initiative provided a book this spring to every kindergartner in Geauga County from schools that wished to participate in this free program, according to a news release. The following schools participated this year: St. Helen School, Westwood Elementary, Timmons Elementary, St. Mary School, St. Anselm School, Jordak Elementary, and Berkshire Elementary.
The intent of the program is to educate children about the journey of food from farm to plate aiming to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for agriculture, the release stated.
The program provided over 400 Geauga County children in kindergarten with a reading of "Right This Very Minute" by Lisl H. Detlefsen. Through illustrations and narratives young readers were transported into the world of agriculture, where they learn about the importance of soil health, the role of pollinators, and the seasonal rhythms of farming.
In an interactive activity following the reading, children became food source detectives, discovering where their food comes from by identifying examples of a food and its source, according to the release. They also explored some of the foods grown locally in Geauga County, connecting them to their community's agricultural heritage.
At the close of the program, each child received their own copy of "Right This Very Minute." Additionally, thanks to the donations from Patterson's Fruit Farm and Sage's Apples, each child enjoyed a crisp apple, further connecting them to the bounty of local agriculture products.
"We believe that every child deserves to have a basic understanding of where their food comes from and how it is produced," the Geauga SWCD stated in the release. "By introducing children to the concepts of farm-to-table early on, we hope to inspire curiosity, respect, and stewardship for the natural world."
Originally Published: July 2, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.