Allegan County Farm Bureau’s Promotion & Education Committee worked with the Hopkins FFA Alumni to provide two book barns and $1,000 worth of new agriculture-themed books to elementary schools in the Hopkins School District. The libraries located in Hopkins and Sycamore Elementary Schools were presented with the barns the first week of March, just in time for March is Reading Month.
Allegan County Farm Bureau donated the two barns, which were created for displays in an exhibit, and made a purchase of $500 worth of books. The FFA Alumni applied for and received funds from the Student Organization Grant. They used the $500 in grant money to purchase books. These ag-accurate books will focus on teaching elementary students about all aspects of agriculture.
Hopkins FFA Alumni members Harry and Anne Kiraly donated their time and talents to spruce up the barns and remodel them into bookshelves. The barns were spacious enough that they also contain a storage area inside where extra books can be kept, changed out, and refreshed throughout the year.
Hopkins FFA members will go to the schools and read books as part of their elementary education initiative. The selected story times will be integrated into the current FFA programs or focused literacy events that already exist, such as the annual Garden Project for second- and third-graders, Ag in the Classroom or Project RED, National Ag Week, Ag Literacy Week and National Literacy Month.
The Allegan County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Hopkins FFA Alumni, and FFA chapter members are excited for the future growth of this agricultural education project.