Staff Report
The Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau’s GAATE Foundation is looking for farmers and ranchers to participate in a pen pal program with classes of students.
The GAATE Foundation’s Ag Pen Pal Program educates students and teachers about their food, fiber and fuel through creating a personal connection between a farmer or rancher and a classroom. The ultimate goal of the pen pal program is to increase agricultural literacy in the county.
The program asks that a farmer or rancher write or email an assigned classroom at least three times per year — fall, winter and spring. In addition to letters and emails, participants might also send videos or photographs, seed or fiber samples or even make a visit to the classroom.
Classrooms are also asked to write or email their assigned farmer/rancher at least three times per year.
It is not always possible to match a pen pal with a classroom within a drivable distance, so visiting via Skype is another option.
For more information, visit www.sbcfb.com and click on the AG Pen Pal Program.
