Saturday Clover Kids celebrate Read Across Iowa ...

Those attending the Saturday Clover Kids program in Allamakee County in March read “The Very Hungry Iowa Caterpillar” through a program put together by Polk County Farm Bureau. While they read about the different foods grown in Iowa they added pictures of the foods to a paper chain to make a caterpillar (such as pictured at right).

After eating numerous foods grown right here, such as corn, wheat, chickens and watermelons, the caterpillar was full. He ate a milkweed leaf, made a cocoon and turned into a beautiful butterfly. All Clover Kids also went home with a book about an Iowan chicken farm, “My Family’s Egg Farm” (also pictured at right), donated by Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation.

Read Across Iowa launched March 1 and began a month long celebration to bring the joys of reading to kids of all ages. Agriculturally-themed Read Across Iowa events have been taking place over Iowa this month and feature books and materials about agriculture that will appeal to all readers. Allamakee County Extension challenged youth to Read Across Allamakee County and submit photos of themselves reading in unique places.

Read Across Iowa is organized as a collaborative effort between the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa 4-H Youth Development and the Iowa State Education Association. Some books and materials were provided by donations and grants from Dollar General, GROWMARK, the National Education Association, Iowa State University College of Human Sciences, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development and other partners of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation.

The Saturday Clover Kids group is limited in numbers to allow for social distancing with a 4-H at Home option available for youth to complete activities on their own. For more information about 4-H and upcoming activities, contact Becky Rea at the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office at 563-568-6345 or http://www.extension.iastate.edu/allamakee/. Submitted photo.