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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 03/21/2023

CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF NASSAU COUNTY KICKS OFF NEW YORK AGRICULTURAL LITERACY WEEK

CCE Nassau Volunteers to Visit 400 Nassau County Elementary Students During Weeklong Celebration

March 20th marked the first day of New York Agricultural Literacy Week 2023 – the 18^th year of the statewide effort organized by New York State Agriculture in the Classroom (NYSAITC). Educators and trained volunteers from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County will visit 5 school districts within Nassau County. More than 20 classrooms will participate during the course of the week, reaching over 400 students in 1^st – 3^rd Grades.

During Agricultural Literacy Week an agriculture-themed book is read to elementary-aged students. The goal of the statewide program is to educate students about the importance of agriculture, while also making them aware of possible career opportunities within the industry.

The 2023 selection “Tomatoes for Neela,” written by Padma Lakshmi, highlights the role that food and agriculture can play in forging intergenerational and intercultural connections and unification, a concept that is especially applicable to New York's combination of rural, suburban, and urban landscapes.

Beyond reading the story to classes, volunteers will also lead an interactive lesson. CCE Nassau is assisted by 10 volunteers during this year’s Agricultural Literacy Week. They are all part of our Master Gardener Volunteer program; thus, they have experience and expertise pertaining to agriculture which they can share with the elementary students.

Upon conclusion of this week’s lessons, teachers are provided with additional materials for follow-up lessons that can continue these valuable educational discussions throughout the schoolyear.

New York Agriculture in the Classroom (NYAITC), established in 1985, is a partnership of Cornell University, the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, the NYS Education Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the New York Farm Bureau. NYAITC envisions a day when all students have the opportunity to understand the economic, social, historical, and scientific significance of agriculture to our society; explore food system career opportunities; and recognizes the connection between agricultural production and the daily need for food and fiber products. To learn more about the program, including previous Agricultural Literacy Week books and NYAITC, visit https://newyork.agclassroom.org/programs/literacy/.

Click here for PDF of press release.

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Contact: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County
516-832-2591
nassau@cornell.edu
www.ccenassau.org

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated March 21, 2023