Educational Opportunities

If last weekend had a theme, it was education. On Friday afternoon I had the opportunity to visit a 4th grade class in Peoria, Ill. and talk to them about agriculture. GROWMARK is a member of the Mid America CropLife Association (MACA), and one activity that group manages is the CropLife Ambassador program. Teachers can visit the website and request a guest speaker, then MACA volunteers sign up for schools in their area. I try to sign up for one or two presentations a year.




The students I talked to last Friday were wonderful. They asked a lot of questions and seemed to really enjoy the pictures and items I took to share. I used some materials from the Illinois Farm Bureau's Ag in the Classroom group - they are very nicely done and written at a 4th grade level.




Probably the best part came at the end of the presentation. I was just about to walk out the door and a little girl who hadn't said much during the whole time I was there came up and handed me a piece of paper. It said "You Rock Mrs. Jones! Love, Rebeca."





I think that it is so important to talk to young people about the importance of agriculture and teach them where their food, fiber, and fuel comes from. If you ever have a chance to visit schools in your area, I encourage you to take advantage. Your county Farm Bureau can help by providing Ag in the Classroom materials and activities.

Friday evening my family made the drive to Indianapolis to watch my brother, Jason, receive his American FFA Degree on Saturday. It was great to be back among the blue jackets again and add the third member of our family to the list of American Degree recipients. My dad earned his in 1977, and I earned mine in 2001.

I firmly believe in the value of youth organizations like FFA and 4-H, among others, and am proud to work for a company that devotes time and resources to supporting those groups.