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New York Ag in the Classroom (AITC) coordinated the first New York Ag Literacy last Monday, which was also National Ag Day. Community members around the state volunteered to read a high quality storybook to local second grade classrooms, including Lansing Elementary School.
Tompkins County Coordinator Debbie Teeter says, "Agricultural literacy is the basic knowledge about agriculture that all citizens need to make informed decisions impacting careers, health, and public policy. Over 20% of our nation’s workforce is in some way involved in food processing, marketing, distribution, and sales – and all of us eat. NY AITC 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 recognize the connection between agricultural production and the daily need for food and fiber products."

Many organizations and agencies that have partnered on this statewide educational effort include the NYS Department of Education, NYS Department of Ag & Markets, Cornell Cooperative Extension, NY Agricultural Educators, and NY Farm Bureau. Additional information is available at the NY AITC website: http://cerp.cornell.edu/aitc/Ag_Literacy_Day_2006.asp.

Volunteers read to Lansing students during two periods in the day. The story was  "Extra Cheese Please: Mozzarella’s Journey from Cow to Pizza" by Cris Peterson, from Boyds Mills Press. The book was donated to the school library.

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