COLUMBUS, NEB. — As farm equipment begins to make its way into the fields, First Lady Suzanne Pillen kicks off an initiative to ensure children in Nebraska know where their food, fiber, and fuel come from. During her time as Nebraska’s First Lady, it is one of Suzanne Pillen’s missions to share accurate agriculture books with students in Nebraska. Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom helped to create Bushels of Stories to connect students with agriculture through story.
“Books are interactive and require kids to think. I am passionate about helping kids think about how agriculture is a part of their everyday life. I hope that by reading accurate agriculture books to students, we can help more students understand how their food starts on a farm and ends up on their plate,” said First Lady Pillen.
On Tuesday, September 26, First Lady Suzanne Pillen visited students at Shell Creek Elementary School and St. Isidore Catholic School. Shell Creek Elementary felt honored to be one of the first stops to help the First Lady’s mission.
“The students were engaged in the experience with the First Lady. The First Lady shared information about food and farming that connected with students at their level,” said Erin Crave, Shell Creek Elementary School principal.
Agriculture is a uniquely important educational topic for Nebraskans as it is the driver of Nebraska’s economy. Agriculture impacts all Nebraskans each time they eat, put fuel in their vehicles, turn on their lights, or put on clothes. Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation works to share this important message in elementary classrooms.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation manages the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Program (AITC). AITC presents relevant and accurate information about agriculture that connects students to their source of food, fiber, and energy, demonstrating the positive impact of agriculture.
“As students learn about how their food, fiber, and energy are produced, we inch closer to every Nebraskan from preschooler to retiree understanding the importance of agriculture,” said Courtney Shreve, director of outreach education with the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation.
Over the course of the week, First Lady Pillen will be in classrooms in Scottsbluff, Columbus, and Lincoln. Throughout Gov. Pillen’s time in office, the First Lady will fulfill requests to read agriculture books to classrooms across the state. Gov. and First Lady Pillen both recognize how important it is that every Nebraskan understands where their food, fiber, and energy comes from.
“The success of agriculture is critical to the future of a prosperous Nebraska. Ensuring that every Nebraskan knows where their food, fiber, and fuel comes from means the future of agriculture and Nebraska remains bright,” said Gov. Pillen.
To request a Bushel of Stories visit go to https://nefbfoundation.org/bushel-of-stories/.
The mission of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is to engage youth, educators, and the general public to promote an understanding of the vital importance of agriculture in the lives of all Nebraskans. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more information about the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, visit www.nefbfoundation.org.
