Agricultural Literacy Week (ALW) is held in March every year (2027 dates to be announced). ALW is a statewide effort to connect students with the story of agriculture — how food is grown, who produces it, and why it matters.
Each year, New York Farm Bureau members and volunteers visit elementary classrooms, primarily second grade, to read an agriculture-themed book and lead a hands-on activity that brings the story to life.
How It Works
- Volunteers coordinate visits with local schools through their county organizer
- A book is read aloud in the classroom
- Students participate in a short, hands-on activity connected to the book
- Volunteers share their personal experiences in agriculture
- The book is donated to the classroom or school library, with recognition of the donor
Each classroom visit takes approximately 40 minutes.
Program Impact
Last year:
- 2,300 books were donated
- 75,000 students participated statewide
Get Involved
ALW is powered by volunteers across New York, including farmers, FFA and 4-H members, and others involved in agriculture and the food system.
You can support Agricultural Literacy Week by:
- Volunteering as a classroom reader
- Sponsoring or donating books
- Helping coordinate local school participation
Learn more or sign up through New York Agriculture in the Classroom.
