RICHMOND—This spring, children across the commonwealth can walk in a farmer’s footsteps with Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom’s 2026 Book of the Year: Farm Boots by Lisl H. Detlefsen.
The book will be read by volunteers to thousands of children during Virginia AITC’s annual Agriculture Literacy Week, March 23-27.
Playfully illustrated by Renée Kurilla, Farm Boots offers a delightful snapshot of farm life and the many different varieties of boots needed to complete farm chores. Readers can observe a diverse cast of farm families as they don their boots to work and play on their farms throughout the seasons, and learn how farmers care for their crops and animals.
“This year’s book introduces children to different kinds of farms and the important work that takes place on them during the year,” said Lynn Black, Virginia AITC’s director of education. “Agriculture Literacy Week is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to connect with children and share agriculture’s story with the next generation. Each year, volunteers from the agriculture community read to over 70,000 children, resulting in increased awareness and appreciation for the role that agriculture plays in their daily lives.”
Now in its 17th year, Agriculture Literacy Week is AITC’s largest annual educational event, with volunteers reading to children across the commonwealth. The program helps teach youth about the importance of agriculture, farming and the sources of their food.
Copies of Farm Boots are available for purchase at $14 each from Virginia AITC. A book order form is located on the Virginia AITC website.
In addition to the book, orders will include free supplementary resources to expand learning at school and at home. Books will be accompanied by a volunteer guide, as well as other teaching resources to be presented to the classroom educator.
Volunteers are encouraged to read Farm Boots to children in pre-K through third grade. Virginia AITC also will share highlights on its social media platforms throughout the week.
This year’s Agriculture Literacy Week is sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. Participants include county Farm Bureau volunteers; Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership and Young Farmers committees; FFA and 4-H members; partners from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and other state agencies; and members of other agricultural organizations and businesses. Colonial Farm Credit and Farm Credit of the Virginias have been supporters as well.
-Virginia Farm Bureau