PEN PAL PROGRAM

The Farm to Classroom Pen Pal Program strives to teach students that agriculture is the source of their food, clothing, shelter and other essentials of life. We also want students to understand the importance of agriculture in their communities. This program will link students and farm families that reside in the counties of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek counties. One farm family will be assigned one classroom for a school year. Our target grades are Kindergarten - 5th Grade.

The information shared from the farm family will most likely be about their farming business, family, and seasonal work being done at that time. Students in return will hopefully communicate back to the farm family throughout the year telling about themselves, their families, asking questions about everyday life on the farm, send photos of their classrooms or classroom projects made!

For those classrooms wishing to participate, it is required that you write to your partnered farm family at least four times a school year (October, January, March, May). We also encourage the farm family's to visit in person, via FarmChat® or even the class take a field trip to the farm! The type of communication available is up to the farm family and classroom but could include any of the following: writing letters, writing e-mails, video recording, farm visits, or classroom visits.

Benefits:

1. Students have more of an understanding of the work and commitment it takes to run a farm.

2. Students appreciate the benefit of having farmers produce the food and fiber all of us consume and use every day.

3. Students get to practice and hone in on their reading, writing, and comprehensive skills. They also practice patience and perspective talking.

For those interested in participating in our program sign up below! Sign-up will close on September 13, 2021.

Sign up below!