Grapes Take Center Stage for Ag Literacy Week

From Empire Farm & Dairy magazine

By LESLIE SHELDON

Second-graders across New York state will have the opportunity to learn about grapes during Agricultural Literacy Week, which is March 20 to 24.
 

The book to be read during Ag Literacy Week

In celebration of New York agriculture, volunteers will visit elementary schools to read the book, “The Grapes Grow Sweet,” by Lynne Tuft and Tessa DeCarlo.
 
The book is about 4-year-old Julian, who is finally old enough to help with the grape harvest at his family’s vineyard. The story follows the development of grapes from blooms to harvest.
 
The book was chosen because of the emergence and growth of New York’s grape industry. There are 1,600 family-owned vineyards in New York state.
 
New York ranks third nationally in grape production, with 75 percent of grapes produced made into grape juice and the remainder processed into wine and used in the craft beverage industry, according to the Ag in the Classroom website.
 
Students and teachers also will benefit from hands-on lessons and receive follow-up activities.
 
The book will be donated to the school or classroom library. Last year thousands of second-graders participated in this activity, and 2,000 books were donated to schools.
 
Ag Literacy Week is sponsored by the New York Ag in the Classroom program. The focus last year was apples, and topics other years were weaving fibers, beekeeping, poultry, maple syrup, cheese, planting trees, and gardening.
 
To volunteer or for more information, visit www.agclassroom.org/ny/programs/literacy.htm
National Agriculture Day is March 21, and this year’s theme is “Agriculture: Food for Life.” Visit www.agday.org to learn about events scheduled around the country.