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Saskatoon, SK – October 22, 2024 – Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) is thrilled to launch the 2nd annual Acres for Education fundraising campaign, dedicated to connecting students with the world of agriculture. This initiative is raising funds to provide Saskatchewan students with real-world agriculture experiences.
The Acres for Education campaign supports the need for agriculture education to grow student’s understanding of where food comes from and appreciation for the hard work of the hands that feed us. By engaging students in agriculture education, they explore their connection to agriculture, sparking a curiosity for our food system and the diversity of careers, and building understanding and support for modern farming practices.
“Students are the next generation of leaders, consumers, innovators, and employees,” says Sara Shymko, Executive Director of AITC-SK. “We are bringing students closer to agriculture and helping to minimize the growing disconnect. For many students, the initiatives we provide are their only opportunity to dig in the soil, see animals up close, and meet the people who produce our food. Acres for Education gives farmers and ranchers the chance to ensure more students get these critical agricultural experiences.”
Acres for Education's unique approach challenges Saskatchewan farmers, ranchers, and livestock producers to donate 10 cents per acre of land they tend to agriculture education, boasting the catchy tagline of “10 cents makes sense, invest in the future of agriculture”. The campaign page provides an interactive map to explore the communities AITC-SK has a presence, allowing farmers to advance local agricultural initiatives or, if their community isn’t listed, bring agricultural experiences to their schools. AITC-SK recognizes and appreciates a group of Saskatchewan farmers, named Acres for Education Champions, who donated and committed to helping provide more agriculture experiences to students before the campaign's launch.
“Supporting the Acres for Education initiative is an easy yes for our farm to support. We like to make sure that we have done our part in empowering students with knowledge about farming and food production, so that we are fostering a deeper understanding of our industry’s significance,” says Amanda McArthur of McArthur Ag Ventures, an Acres for Education Champion. “This investment in Ag in the Classroom not only nurtures curiosity and respect for agriculture but also ensures that our values and practices are carried forward, securing a vibrant future for the next generation.”
In the campaign's inaugural year, over $70,000 in donations were received from Saskatchewan farmers, benefitting over 17,500 students by equipping classrooms with agricultural learning kits. Acres for Education has an impactful 2024 goal of sending 200 classes to a farm or agricultural event. To reach this goal, AITC-SK is looking to Saskatchewan farmers again to help raise $100,000 in funds to support getting students out of the classroom and up close to agriculture.
To help provide more students with agricultural experiences, donate to the Acres for Education campaign by visiting aitc.sk.ca/acresforeducation. Every donation brings a student closer to agriculture. A charitable receipt will be issued for all donations. Saskatchewan agriculture can come together to cultivate a brighter future for tomorrow’s leaders through education.
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