Planting the seeds for agricultural literacy

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

Farmers across Nova Scotia celebrated the first Agriculture Literacy Day recently reading books about farming to elementary students.

More than 20 schools across the province had farmers come into their classrooms to read and talk to students about what they do. The books will remain in the classrooms, and include activities to help teachers and students explore the science and culture of farming.

Mary Lou Power visited the school in Canning her own children attended to read about apple growing and speak first hand.

Fifty years ago, probably 30 per cent of Nova Scotians were involved in farming. Today, five of the students Power met with live on farms. Nine have parents who work in agriculture but, she told them all, “everyone eats.”

Using show and tell techniques, Power explained how apples grow from dormant trees. She described the roles of rain, soil, insects and people in each year’s apple crop.

Power talked about how tender apples, like Honey Crisp, are picked, why there are no fall apples that are green in Nova Scotia and what damage mice can do in the winter.

The 120 acres of Power family orchard can been viewed from the Look Off, she said. They harvest from mid-August until late October, when the Ida Reds are picked.

According to statistics Power collected, 7,500 Nova Scotian are employed in agriculture - 1.2 per cent of the population. In Canada, the number is 2.4 per cent. The average age of farmers across the country is 54.

"By learning about where our food comes from, children can make healthier food choices which will help support a viable agriculture sector in Nova Scotia," said Judy Grant, agricultural awareness co-ordinator with the Department of Agriculture. "Agriculture Literacy Day may also spark interest in farming as a career choice for one of these children."

Agriculture Literacy Day was sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and the Nova Scotia Agricultural Awareness Committee.