Partnership in Agricultural Literacy Award

Click the image to download a high-resolution file.

For Immediate Release:

Contact: David Varner, Media & Marketing Specialist
717-731-3541 | dwvarner@pfb.com

 

HERSHEY, Pa. – Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation (PFAF) has presented Summit Elementary School, part of the Butler Area School District, with the 2022 Partnership in Agricultural Literacy Award during the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s 72nd Annual Meeting in Hershey. The school is being recognized for its Community Agricultural Partnership at Summit (CAPS) program.

“CAPS has taken an aggressive approach to curriculum development and professional learning, offering staff an opportunity to participate in the Foundation’s Educator’s Agriculture Institute, both virtually and in-person,” said Chad Broman from Summit.

The school has been working on innovative ways to implement agricultural literacy while maintaining relevancy in both agriculture and education. “CAPS is working to use agricultural concepts as a pathway to learning,” said Broman. “An integral piece of this program is leveraging the community partners and our Advisory Panel that have pledged their time and expertise to share with the students, staff, and families.”

CAPS is endorsed by the Butler County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for their exceptional promotion of agriculture both inside and outside of the classroom.

“It would be an honor to support and nominate Summit Elementary for this outstanding award. They are well deserving,” said  William Thiele, Regional State Board Director for PFB.

Just a few examples of the work at CAPS includes:

  • Weekly trips to the pollinator garden, apple orchard, and Christmas tree orchard to make observations, compare and contrast changes, or teach lessons
  • Area and perimeter math lessons at the pollinator garden
  • Soil and erosion exploration at the rain garden
  • Language Arts heightened by reading or writing while immersed in our outdoor agricultural focus areas

“Summit Elementary school is doing a tremendous job incorporating agriculture in their school curriculum. I can just see the excitement of the teachers and the students as they learn in this way,” said Foundation Chairman Richard Ebert.

“CAPS provides opportunities for students to engage with their families in agriculture whenever possible,” said Broman.