By Andi Anderson
Indiana Farm Bureau has announced "My Family’s Corn Farm" as its 2024 Book of the Year, a children’s book written by Katie Olthoff and illustrated by Joe Hox. This annual selection is part of INFB’s Agriculture in the Classroom program, a localized agricultural outreach initiative for school children in Indiana, unveiled during the 2023 State Convention at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne.
The narrative of "My Family’s Corn Farm" revolves around Presley and her family's journey in corn production, shedding light on the various aspects of cultivating corn, including planting, harvesting, erosion prevention, and tending to the plants. The book also introduces modern farming technologies employed in corn cultivation and showcases various corn byproducts like corn chips, syrup, and starch.
Published by Feeding Minds Press, a project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, "My Family’s Corn Farm" serves as a companion to "My Family’s Soybean Farm," the 2022 INFB Book of the Year.
Indiana Farm Bureau strategically selected this year's book to spotlight corn, one of the state's major farm commodities. Indiana ranks as the fifth largest producer of corn for grain, accounting for $3.28 billion in sales, as per the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The INFB Women’s Leadership Committee is spearheading an annual statewide campaign promoting the book, continuing its tradition for the eighth consecutive year.
Throughout 2024, Ag in the Classroom volunteers will utilize the Book of the Year to engage with students, facilitating read-aloud sessions and donating copies for educational use. INFB representatives will be available to address students' queries about modern farming practices in Indiana. Moreover, INFB’s Ag in the Classroom program will release a curriculum, enabling teachers to integrate the book into their classroom activities.
Educators keen on incorporating INFB’s 2024 Book of the Year into their curriculum or student programming can explore the Ag in the Classroom section on INFB’s website for more information.
Photo Credit: getty-images-elhenyo
Categories: Indiana, Business, Crops, Corn