Maple syrup flows through this year’s book of the year and essay contest from Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program.
“Sugarbush Spring” by Marsha Wilson Chall is the 2016 Book of the Year. “Tell us about producing maple syrup in Wisconsin” is the topic of the annual essay contest.
“The book of the year and essay topic will allow us to educate students about Wisconsin’s maple syrup industry by highlighting the process, technology and traditions of making this sweet treat,” said Wendy Kannel, Ag in the Classroom Coordinator. “We will again link the book, the accompanying lessons, various Wisconsin educational resources, and other Ag in the Classroom lessons into resources for teachers, students and volunteers to use in promoting and preparing essays.”
Essay submissions must be 100 to 300 words in length and will be judged on content, grammar, spelling and neatness. All contest rules, lesson plans and sample classroom activities are located at wisagclassroom.org or by contacting Kannel at 608.828.5719 or wkannel@wfbf.com. Participating students and schools need to submit essays by April 1 to their county Farm Bureau essay coordinator. A list of coordinators is available at wisagclassroom.org.
A state winner will be selected from nine district winners in May by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Committee. Each district winner will receive a classroom presentation in May for their homeroom or class.
The contest is sponsored by Insight FS, We Energies and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation. Last year, nearly 2,900 students participated in the contest.
In this year’s Book of the Year selection, “Sugarbush Spring”, introduces young readers to the process of taking sap and making it into maple syrup. The hardcover books come with an activity/lesson plan packet that teachers, students and home school parents can use to enhance the reading experience. Book order forms are found at www.wisagclassroom.org under “Order Forms”.
Ag in the Classroom is designed to help students in kindergarten through high school to understand the importance of agriculture. It is coordinated by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
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