(submitted photo/Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture in the Classroom

New book shares the beauty of harvest

Oct 25, 2022 | 4:07 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – Harvest time has been brought to life in a new Saskatchewan children’s book.

A Harvest Story was launched at the beginning of October to join in celebrating Agriculture Month in Saskatchewan.

The book walks students through a day in the life of a farmer at harvest time, providing a glimpse into the family farm and the beauty of reaping what is sown as farmers work to feed the world. The storybook helps deepen students understanding of agriculture and its importance in their lives.

Since its introduction, Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) received over 145 orders. The first 50 orders also received a class set so that each student was given a book to take home and enjoy with their families.

AITC-SK Executive Director Sara Shymko said educators are anxious to share the story with their students, reinforcing the importance of and need for more educational resources that share the story of agriculture and food in Saskatchewan.

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“The teacher demand for A Harvest Story has been phenomenal,” Shymko said. “It has been one of AITC-SK’s most successful resource launches. The book truly is a tribute to farmers acknowledging their dedication and hard work and thanking them for feeding the world. There is no other storybook like it.”

The story was written by Kendall Wicks, a teacher from Cabri, Sask. who also farms. She was inspired by her son to write the story 11 years ago. The inspiration came from his frequent asks for a story about combining. Wicks said she was unable to find a storybook that captured harvest on the Prairies.

“I grew up on a grain farm and like many farming families I know that harvest is an incredibly special time where some of the best memories are made,” Wicks said. “My goal was to capture this unique and beautiful experience, and for every child who reads it to see themselves within it somewhere.”

Wicks said as a teacher she has strived to ensure students are aware of the importance of agriculture.

“I have used AITC-SK resources throughout my career. I’m so grateful to now be a contributor to this organization through this book,” she said.

The artwork for the book was done by Lesia Karalash, an illustrator and graphic designer based in Saskatoon, Sask.

In addition to the collaboration between AITC-SK, Wicks and Karalash, the book received support of several rural municipalities and individuals from the Saskatchewan agriculture community.

A Harvest Story is free for teachers to access at www.aitc.sk.ca.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW