Contact:
Molly Zentz, APR
317-692-7822
765-469-3150
mzentz@infb.org

(Indianapolis) – October 4, 2019 – This week, Marion County Farm Bureau donated a copy of Indiana Farm Bureau’s 2019 Book of the Year to 800 Marion County school children. The book, “Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth,” was hand delivered to 25 classrooms at five elementary schools within Marion County. 

The schools with students who received books are: 

• Hornet Park Elementary, Beech Grove – 10 classrooms
• Brookside School, IPS 54 – three classrooms
• James Russell Lowell School, IPS 51 – three classrooms
• Francis W. Parker School, IPS 56 – five classrooms
• Paramount School of Excellence, Brookside – four classrooms 

“We’re thrilled to get this year’s Book of the Year into the hands of 800 Indianapolis students,” said Randy Kron, INFB president. “With Marion County’s generous donation, together we’re able to introduce these students to agricultural sustainability by learning about the very basics of composting and its role in enriching and maintaining our soil – something that both rural and urban families can do for the environment.”

Several Marion County Farm Bureau volunteers and Indiana Farm Bureau employees visited the five schools this week to read this year’s book to each classroom and discuss the environmental benefits of composting. 

“As a Farm Bureau in an urban county, we’re always looking for ways to educate Marion County residents about agriculture in our state,” said Jack Haefling, Marion County Farm Bureau president. “It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to go into a few of our schools and give them something to take home to their families that’s both educational and fun.” 

“Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth” was written by Mary McKenna Siddals and illustrated by Ashley Wolff.

INFB’s Book of the Year is a part of the organization’s Agriculture in the Classroom program, a grassroots agricultural outreach program for school children in grades Pre-K through 12. This year’s state book is also the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2019 Book of the Year. Visit infb.org/INFBAgEd to learn more about the Agriculture in the Classroom curriculum and classroom activities. 

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About Indiana Farm Bureau: 2019 marks the 100^th anniversary of Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB). Since 1919, it has protected the livelihood, land, equipment, animals and crops of Hoosier farmers and is the state’s largest general farm organization. As a farmer’s strongest advocate, INFB works diligently to ensure a farmer’s right to farm, because agriculture is so vital to Indiana’s economy.  Learn more at INFB.org