Volunteers needed for Alaska Agriculture Day

Alaska Agriculture Day is Tuesday, May 3. Each year the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors and coordinates presentations and farm tours to classrooms in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District to promote and raise awareness of the importance of agriculture in Alaska.

In 2010, approximately 60 classrooms in the Fairbanks area participated in Alaska Agriculture Day.

Agriculture enthusiasts are needed to share their special interest or background, talk about animals they raise or attend a short training session and learn a pre-planned activity on the following for grades K - 8:

• Plants, people and pollination – A lesson on bees, beekeeping and their importance to our food.
• Where does it grow in Alaska? – Is there agriculture in Alaska?
• Who grew my soup? – A look into what’s in our food + planting activity.

In addition to an engaging activity, students in lower elementary grades will enjoy a story centered on agriculture. As part of the agriculture literacy awareness portion of this celebration, classrooms in grades K – 6 will receive a complimentary book. Although Alaska Agriculture Day is May 3, presentations can be done throughout the entire week.

Contact Tami Seekins, natural resource education specialist for the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, at 907-479-1213, extension 105.

Also on Agriculture Day, special presentations are planned for the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce luncheon at noon on May 3 at the Carlson Center.