Planting Seeds"Time Marches On"
The saying, “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb” was something that my mom often said. It means that the weather in March is cold and snowy, fierce like a lion, at the beginning of the month, but by the end of the month, the weather is calmer and more spring-like, gentle like a lamb.
I’ve always loved March, not only because of St. Patrick’s Day (which is also my cousin’s birthday and gives me two reasons to celebrate March 17), but also because spring is in the air. Daffodils, tulips, and crocuses are getting ready to awaken after winter, gardeners are starting their seeds indoors, and the temperature is finally above freezing.
March is a pretty busy time for Cook County’s Ag in the Classroom Program: we are preparing for Ag Day field trip events for third grade students, educator workshops, library programs, Farm Shadow Programs for high school students – and we’re visiting classrooms throughout Cook County, teaching about agriculture with free, handson programs.
Spring is a great time for teachers to book our Ag in the Classroom Program (bit.ly/AITCplease). Students can learn about Illinois’ top crops and livestock, where their food comes from, and what farmers do year-round on the farm. During the presentations, students can also discover soil science, explore the food supply chain from farm to table, and gain insight into potential agricultural careers.
Maybe what I love most about March is the busyness of the month. It reminds me that March Madness isn’t just basketball, it’s the farm bureau calendar! I love rolling up my sleeves to teach about germination by planting seeds, spending time with FFA students during contests, visiting fourth grade classrooms to teach about nutrition and soil science, and visiting farms, greenhouses, and agribusinesses on field trips.
If you are interested in staying busy this spring, get involved with the Cook County Farm Bureau! We are always looking for volunteers for events and activities. If you would rather attend events, we have lots of those happening, too: a Workshop on Preparing Wills and Trusts and Transferring NonTitled Property on March 10; Knead to Know: How Agriculture Feeds Your Sourdough on March 18; and Membership Appreciation Week in April. Don’t worry, there is even more if you need more to do!
If you’re keeping busy and getting involved, don’t worry – time flies when you’re having fun! Enjoy the busyness of March, both the lion and the lamb, because summer will be here before you know it – and our Ag in the Classroom Program is already planning events and preparing for it. We can’t wait to see you!