BSD schools to join in agriculture celebration

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This article was published 11/03/2024 (640 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two classrooms in the Brandon School Division are joining other Manitoba classrooms in celebrating agriculture throughout March as Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month returns.

This year, 7,400 Manitoba students across 345 classrooms, including at École O’Kelly School in CFB Shilo and Kirkcaldy Heights School in Brandon, are set to engage in Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba’s (AITC-M) flagship program, a press release sent out by AITC-M on Wednesday said.

Katharine Cherewyk, the executive director of AITC-M, is thrilled to witness the continued growth of Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), she said. This year, 13 more educators will see their students receive in-person classroom visits compared to last year, she added.

“March is an incredible month for bringing our future generation of decision-makers closer to those who produce their food. With in-person visits spanning Carman to The Pas, in French- and English-speaking classrooms, in urban and rural settings, I’m sure that the connections and stories from this year’s CALM will be inspiring,” Cherewyk said.

CALM aims to bridge the gap between students, farmers and various other agriculture industry professionals by celebrating Canada’s rich agricultural and food story with students. This year, 155 agriculture industry volunteers — five more than in 2023 — will visit classrooms in Manitoba to share their experiences, tell stories, provide hands-on activities, and supply agriculture-themed books to students in Grades 2-4.

Every CALM volunteer brings their own experience to their presentation, Cherewyk says.

“We are humbled that so many amazing individuals in the agri-food industry share our vision of the program — creating high-quality, fun and educational visits that leave an impact on students.”

“Caring for Our Watersheds” is the theme of this year’s CALM in Manitoba. Through the program, students will gain an understanding of what watersheds are, how they function, and the efforts undertaken by farmers to preserve water quality and ensure their sustainability.

Now in its 13th year, CALM, an initiative spearheaded by Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), celebrates the connection between students and food producers, as well as leaders in the agriculture industry. Its goal is to foster an understanding of not only where food originates from but also of the sector’s significance to communities nationwide.

Mathie Roulea, executive director of AITC-C, hopes that the program will cultivate curiosity and encourage students to learn more about where their food comes from, he said.

“CALM is a great opportunity to connect students with agriculture and share Canada’s amazing agriculture and food story.”

Cargill serves as the presenting partner for CALM and a longstanding supporter of AITC-C. The education of the next generation of agricultural leaders is vital in maintaining Canada’s strong leadership position in the global food system, said Jeff Vassart, the president of Cargill Canada.

“We at Cargill are honoured to continue our support of CALM, and we share its mission of inspiring students to pursue careers that help feed the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way,” he said.

Last year, Agriculture in the Classroom organizations across the country presented to 184,000 students during CALM. This March, hundreds of industry volunteers will once again visit K-12 classes across Canada, delivering presentations, engaging activities, and personal anecdotes to enrich students’ understanding of agriculture.

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