DeKalb County Farm Bureau in Illinois has reimagined the classic "Concentration" card game to create their own educational version called the "Farm Matching Game." With the help of local farmers and early childhood experts, the bureau designed the game with 30 pairs of cards featuring farm crops, animals, machinery, and buildings, including lesser-known elements like grain bins and ag aircraft.
Similar to "Concentration," players flip over two cards at a time, aiming to find matching pairs. Successful matches are claimed, while unmatched cards are returned face down for the next player. The game serves as a valuable tool not only for kindergarteners but for players of all ages, fostering conversations and reinforcing agricultural knowledge through repetition.
The Farm Matching Game is distributed annually to 1,000-1,500 families during kindergarten registration, reaching a total of over 5,000 families in DeKalb County. The game has garnered praise for its ability to engage players and stimulate agricultural learning. It has become a key component of the county's kindergarten reading initiative, boosting awareness of farming practices and fostering a connection to the local agricultural community.
The success of the Farm Matching Game has earned DeKalb County Farm Bureau the prestigious American Farm Bureau Federation 2023 County Activities of Excellence Award, recognizing their outstanding efforts in promoting agricultural education. The bureau plans to continue the project with the support of donors, ensuring that more families have the opportunity to explore and appreciate the world of agriculture.
Source : wisconsinagconnection