A unique educational training event was held for elementary teachers from Richmond County Schools in late March.

At the session, sponsored by the Richmond County Farm Bureau, educators representing all elementary schools in the Richmond County School System took part in an orientation session related to the use of a new teaching kit entitled “The Farmer Grows a Rainbow.” The kit includes multiple classroom lessons and accompanying physical activities for Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grades that address nutrition and fitness education along with core curricula.

“The Farmer Grows a Rainbow” was developed by North Carolina Farm Bureau’s educational program, Ag in the Classroom. According to Ag in the Classroom Director, Louise Lamm, the lessons were developed to create awareness of the newest nutritional guidelines set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (MyPyramid.gov) and to help students develop an understanding and appreciation for the source of all nutrition - the farmer. Development of “The Farmer Grows a Rainbow” was made possible through a grant from USDA and kits are being made available to schools throughout the United States.

Participating educators spent time investigating the general lesson for all elementary students which helps to familiarize them with “MyPyramid.gov” and then studied lessons for specific grade levels. They were able to study printed lesson plans, view video clips of lessons being taught, and participate in selected activities as their students will do. Educators spent time in the computer lab visiting the website: www.MyPyramid.gov. They were able to create personal profiles of dietary and fitness guidelines and access lesson activities for use with their students.

Farm Bureau is a private, non-profit, grassroots organization that has been actively promoting farm and rural issues in North Carolina since 1936 through governmental relations, marketing, field representation, agricultural education, member services and other programs.