Ag Literacy Month kicks off in Saskatchewan

Mar 01, 2018

Industry members will bring ag into the classroom throughout March

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Agriculture Literacy Month starts today in Saskatchewan, bringing farmers and other members of the ag industry into elementary school classrooms to share their experiences.

Agriculture in the Classroom – Saskatchewan (AITC) provides materials like books and videos for the producers to use during their classroom visits, according to a Government of Saskatchewan release yesterday.

Agriculture Literacy Month “is a program that really focuses on connecting kids to the people who are involved in growing the food that they eat,” Sara Shymko, AITC executive director, said to Farms.com today.

The program “is a way to help kids learn about agriculture but to also connect with (farmers). So, for the kids involved, it’s a great learning experience. And for the producers and (other) ag industry people involved, it’s an opportunity for them to share their stories, build relationships and build trust,” she said.

While AITC has celebrated one week in March as Canadian Agriculture Week since 2012, last year was the first celebration of Agriculture Literacy Month.

The feedback was really positive from both the teachers and volunteers who participated in last year’s Ag Literacy Month, Shymko said to Farms.com.

“This year’s theme is ‘Our Food, Our Story,’” Gordon Wyant, deputy premier and education minister, said in the release.

“Agriculture Literacy Month allows students to take part in activities with local producers and hear stories about why they work in the agriculture industry. These experiences are the kind of learning that really makes an impression on students,” he said.

Throughout March, 150 ag volunteers will visit classrooms to share stories about farming and how food is produced. Over 7,500 students will take part in the program, Shymko, said in the release.

If producers are interested in becoming involved with AITC, they can sign up to volunteer here.

Video: Canada's Agriculture Day 2025

Let's celebrate Canadian agriculture.

Well, number one, you don't eat without farmers. Farmers put food on the table. And what could be more important than that?

Well, I think it's important that Canadians understand exactly what takes place, what happens to produce this food, no matter what sector you're talking about.

An awful lot of work goes into that. It's important to understand that meat does not come out of a showcase, and milk does not come out of a bottle. It's produced by farmers and hard work.

Canada has the best farmers in the world. And agriculture is vital to Canada.

In 2024, our agriculture and agri-food sector represented $150 billion of Canada's GDP, nearly $100 billion of our exports, and one in nine jobs.

From grains to fruits to dairy and beef, we are truly blessed with an incredible bounty. Having spent my whole life in agriculture, I see so much potential for the sector.

This time last year, I was proud to open our first-ever agriculture and trade office in the Indo-Pacific, the world’s fastest-growing economy, to cement our presence in the region and grow our exports even more. We've also been making historic investments to help our farmers to boost their yields, protect the planet, and earn a fair living.

The world wants more top-quality, sustainable food, and I know our Canadian farmers can deliver. And it's so important that you do that with pride. We need you.

Quite simply, you eat the most top quality food in the world. You do that because of the quality of farmers and ranchers you have in this country.

Just say thank you to a farmer or a rancher. They work very hard, yes, for a living, but also with a sense of pride in what they produce.

That's what Canada's Agriculture Day is all about.