August 19, 2008

An Apple a Day...

School is right around the corner. Some of our students may have already begun school. One of the agriculturally related products we associate with school and teachers are apples. As school begins an you and your family get back in the swing of things here are a few books to read on the teacher's favorite snack.

The Amazing Apple Book by Paulette Bourgeois

Apple Picking Time by Michele Benoit Slawson

Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall

An Apple Tree Through the Year by Claudia Schnieper

Big Red Apple by Tony Johnston

Happy Reading!!!

Posted by Aimee Chandler at 1:10 PM | Permalink |

August 7, 2008

National Ag in the Classroom Conference Coming to St. Louis

That's right. Get ready because the 2009 Ag in the Classroom Conference is coming to St. Louis. The conference will be held June 23-27 at the Millennium Hotel downtown.

The conference is open to: Educators of all grade levels, Administrators, Curriculum Developers, Guidance Counselors, Teacher Aides, Substitute Teachers, AITC volunteers, State AITC contacts, Ag Science Teachers, Extension Educators, AITC Board Members, Ag Industry Representatives.

Those attending will enjoy a make and take session, traveling workshops, mini workshops, and much more. For more information visit the conference website at: http://www.agintheclassroom.org/060605/Conf_Training/NationalAITCconference2009.htm

If you are interested in attending contact Aimee Chandler at the Ford-Iroquois Extension office at 815-268-4051. See you in St. Louis!

Posted by Aimee Chandler at 2:18 PM | Permalink |

July 23, 2008

Beneficial Blueberries

Did you know that July is National Blueberry Month? Blueberries make a wonderful snack and are good for our bodies. You can enjoy blueberries so many different ways like in a muffin, in a fruit salad, or alone.

Here are some exciting facts about blueberries:

- One bush can produce 6000 berries a year.

- Blueberries have been around for 13,000 years.

- A blueberry bush can grow up to 12 feet tall.

Find out more about blueberries at http://www.blueberrycouncil.com/kids-teachers.php

Posted by Aimee Chandler at 3:47 PM | Permalink |

July 3, 2008

Fair Time is Here!

Next week begins the Ford County Fair (July 6-12) and then the Iroquois County Fair the following week (July 16-21). We hope that you come out and join us at one or both of the fairs. While you are there take a look around at all the great projects, enjoy delicious food from the 4-H Food Stands, and stop by and say hello.

Posted by Aimee Chandler at 11:21 AM | Permalink |

June 23, 2008

Did you know...

- It takes more than 21 pounds of whole milk to make one pound of butter.

- The natural yellow color of butter comes mainly from the beta-carotene found in the grass cows eat.

- More than one-third of all milk produced each year in the U.S. is used to manufacture cheese.

- More ice cream is sold on Sunday than any other day of the week.

- It takes 12 pounds of whole milk to make one gallon of ice cream.

- Illinois dairy farms produce 1.98 billion gallons of milk annually.

- In Illinois, the average dairy cow will produce 6.5 gallons of milk per day over the course of a typical year. That's more than 2,387 gallons a year.

Source: Midwest Dairy Association

Posted by Aimee Chandler at 1:28 PM | Permalink |

June 11, 2008

Make Your Own Butter

Celebrate Dairy Month by making your own butter. Here's how to do it:

1)Place a half-pint of room temperature whipping or heavy cream in a plastic or glass jar with a lid. One half pint of cream will make about one-quarter pound butter.

2) Shake the jar for five to ten minutes.

3) When a lump of butter forms, pour the contents of the jar into a colander to separate the butter from the buttermilk.

4) Eat the butter on bread or crackers. A pinch of salt can be added.

Source: Illinois Ag in the Classroom - Dairy Ag Mag

Posted by Aimee Chandler at 1:45 PM | Permalink |

June 5, 2008

June is Dairy Month

June is Dairy Month! Have you had your 3-A-Day Dairy? Check out the Midwest Dairy Association's June Dairy Month page at http://www.midwestdairy.com/pages/index.cfm?TREE_ID=640 for some great recipes, the history of Dairy Month and much more.

Posted by Aimee Chandler at 3:16 PM | Permalink |

June 5, 2008

Welcome

Welcome to Ag Literacy Lines!! This blog has been created to help you learn about agriculture in a fun way. Check back occasionally for fun activities, trivia and more on timely agriculture topics. Feel free to offer suggestions by sending me an e-mail.

Posted by Aimee Chandler at 3:14 PM | Permalink |