Ag Lit BitMy Magic Mix Cauldron
I missed early holiday shopping so no one on my list will be getting a Magic Cauldron or any magic as far as I can see. I’m not sure if the supply of them is stuck on a container, a truck, a factory, or if they are back in stock. As I read the description of this “must have” item I had a vision of my kids (20+ years ago) inviting their friends over to create this magic spilling out. Of course, with my boys, their magic would have involved adding some additional items to the potions that provided even more explosive exciting magic. Rather like making obleck for the first time, dying it green, and realizing it does bond well with carpeting.
If I cannot have a cauldron, I sometimes wish I could be Ms. Frizzle and borrow her Magic School Bus to transport each and every student in Cook County to the farm. While we do an outstanding job of bringing agriculture to the classroom, imagine the possibilities of a Magic Bus. The book and episode called Robot Farm does just that. The students ride a drone, see a vertical farm, watch a robot weeding a field and picking berries, and learn about soil health from Dr. Tillage.
I am wondering if we should give a more creative name to our amazing presenters! The closest we’ve come to that is “Farmer Jim”.
With 2021 coming to a close this month, I am certain we all wish we had some magical powers this past year. While we all would have different views on what our cauldron would create, it would have been well used.
My hopes for this coming year include continued progress on the battle against COVID and other health challenges many face. I wish for continued sharing of memories of those we lost and healing for those left behind. I also hope for the ability to keep an open discussion with others about any topic as everyone has a place at the table.
I hope we can magically reach the educators, students, and families of Cook County with our educational resources in 2022. We are just an email or phone call away and glad to bring agriculture to you. For those of you who have hosted or program, we do include a little magic! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.