BEDFORD, PA — The Pennsylvania Beef Council has partnered with volunteers across the beef industry to bring agriculture education to classrooms across the state. Pennsylvania Ag Literacy Week connects volunteers from the agriculture community with local elementary school students to share the story of agriculture.

During Ag Literacy Week, which took place March 17-21, the PA Beef Council offered classrooms across Pennsylvania copies of an age-appropriate and agriculturally accurate book that tells the story of beef production and illustrates the many benefits of agriculture in children’s daily lives.

The 2025 PA Beef Council book was “The Journal of Rowdy the Cow Kid” by Amanda Radke. The book is illustrated by western artist Michelle Weber and published by Ag Storytellers.

This year, through the PA Beef Council’s efforts, more than 31 Pennsylvania districts participated in Ag Literacy Week and reached close to 2,800 students. 

“It was fun to see the students and get them talking about farming,” said PA Beef Council board member Eliza Walton. “Farming is no longer the ‘American Gothic’ portrait. There are women and young people in ag that don’t fit the stereotypical image many kids have in mind. So to show them that there are many different types of farmers in their area and that their food comes from the same farms they drive past on their way to school was very rewarding.”

Questions about Ag Literacy Week can be directed to Kaitlyn Swope, PA Beef Council director of channel marketing, at kswope@pabeef.org  or call 888/4BEEFPA.