Lincoln FFA members present books about soybeans to Mrs. Elaine Knight, district librarian, and students in Mrs. Dabbs' second-grade class at Northwest Elementary School. Front row: Landon Alcorn, Hether Joner, Alicen Burns and Jacey Cooper. Second row: Mrs. Knight, Allison Mayernick, Betty Peters, Katie Kelly and Jake Day. (Click on picture for larger image.)

Lincoln FFA partners with Illinois soybean farmers to promote agricultural literacy [December 04, 2010]  The Lincoln FFA chapter has partnered with the Illinois Soybean Association to help increase agricultural literacy statewide. The Lincoln chapter is presenting two children's books about soybeans to the Lincoln Public Library and to each of the following schools to add to their library collections: Northwest, West Lincoln-Broadwell, Chester-East Lincoln, Washington-Monroe, Jefferson, Central and Adams.

"We greatly appreciate the help of Illinois FFA chapters and 4-H clubs in helping us to distribute these books to the state's elementary schools and public libraries," says Ron Moore, Illinois Soybean Association chairman and a soybean farmer from Roseville.

"Agricultural literacy is a critical component of education, especially in Illinois where 1 in 4 workers is employed in the agriculture industry, and more qualified workers will be needed to fill jobs in the future," he said. "Agriculture helps feed and clothe a growing global population, and Illinois will need to play a critical role in meeting that need."

Libraries are receiving "Soybeans, an A-to-Z Book" and "Soybeans in the Story of Agriculture." Both books are authored by Susan Anderson and JoAnne Buggey as part of the "Awesome Agriculture for Kids" series. The books are also available through www.ilsoy.org.

The Illinois Soybean Association is the statewide organization for Illinois soybean growers. The farmers on its board administer soybean checkoff funds to support research, promotions and educational programs designed to increase demand for Illinois soybeans and administer legislation and membership programs. For more information, visit www.ilsoy.org.

[Text from file received from Linda King, LCHS agriculture instructor and FFA adviser]