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Anything but CALM: Canadian agriculture in the classroom

Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) and its nine provincial member organizations launched the 9th annual Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM) last week.

CALM is an experiential opportunity that encourages students from K to 12 in all 10 provinces to learn about and celebrate Canada’s incredible agriculture and food story. By connecting classrooms with farmers and those with a deep connection to agriculture, students and teachers learn firsthand about this sector through the story shared by the volunteer visiting with them.

Interested in being a volunteer and sharing your agriculture stories with students? Applications are still being accepted in most provinces; information can be found at the end of this article.

Building on the success from 2019, AITC-C organizations are on track to reach approximately 70,000 students in more than 2,000 classrooms from coast to coast.

From students getting their hands dirty learning about soil with a soil scientist, to developing an understanding of the technology used in agriculture from the storybook Reggie’s Technology Adventure with a farmer, CALM offers a unique way to pique Canadian students’ curiosity about agriculture and food.

“Agriculture is how we will energize the next generation of leaders,” said Connie Tamoto, Cargill Canada’s senior manager, corporate responsibility. “Programs like Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month help teach kids about the importance of agriculture to ensure sustainable, innovative solutions to feed a growing population, and how young people can play a role in nourishing our world.”

CALM would not be possible without the generosity of Cargill, Corteva Agriscience and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program.

Follow along on social media:  #CALM20   #OurFoodOurStory

Interested in becoming an agriculture ambassador in your province? To volunteer with AITC-C in Western Canada:

• British Columbia: www.bcaitc.ca/partnership-opportunities
• Alberta: www.agricultureforlife.ca/volunteer
• Saskatchewan: aitc.sk.ca/get-involved/volunteer
• Manitoba: www.aitc.mb.ca/get-involved

To volunteer with AITC-C in Eastern Canada:

• Newfoundland and Labrador: www.aitcnl.ca/events/volunteers
• Prince Edward Island: www.peiagsc.ca/calm.php
• Nova Scotia: novascotia.ca/agri/programs-and-services/educational-resources/school-programs/elementary/#ag-litweek

*AITC-C New Brunswick’s website is currently under construction.

**AITC-C Ontario does not appear to accept volunteers for classroom visits.