|
Adopt-A-Calf
Reaches New York City Kids
You
may not always be able to bring kids to the farm. But, you can
bring a feeling for the farm to kids – even those in New
York City.
The New
York Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee has introduced
an Adopt-A-Calf program in New York City schools. Through a slide
presentation, Farm Bureau volunteers introduce students, teachers
and parents to the care and stewardship of dairy animals.
Teachers
and students receive certificates of adoption and registration
papers for their adopted animals. At least twice during the school
year, they will receive health updates, pictures, and news about
the calves. In addition, they are learning what happens on the
farms where their calf lives.
During their classroom visits, the Farm Bureau volunteers explain
various practices that farmers take for granted but that are
often misunderstood by consumers. For example, ear tags are likened
to earrings with numbers that allow farmers to quickly identify
each animal's parents, medical records, birthday and more.
The program
has reached hundreds of New York City elementary students as
well as their teachers, school employees and parents. Through
the New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education,
the program also is being conducted in the Syracuse School System.
"Expansion
of this program is a must, at the teachers’ insistence and
because this tool will allow us to succeed in our quest for ag
literacy," says Sandra Prokop, managing director of the
New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education. For
more information, contact Prokop at New York Farm Bureau, 518-431-5633.
Back
to Index
Seeds
for Success
A
Biannual Newsletter on Agriculture in the Classroom |
|
|
