Pony show and more for Ag Literacy Week

MILLERTON — Taking part in the celebration of Agricultural Literacy Week, Dutchess County Legislator Gregg Pulver read to local children and answered their questions about agriculture, at the NorthEast-Millerton Library on Friday, March 22.

Designed to celebrate the importance of agriculture in New York state, Agricultural Literacy Week has volunteers read a book with an agricultural theme to students. Typically, literacy volunteers visit schools and read to students in first through third grade. Volunteers then guide the students through hands-on lessons as well as an activity related to the story. The book is then donated to the school or classroom library with a bookplate that recognizes Agricultural Literacy Week. 

This year, Agricultural Literacy Week ran from Monday, March 18, to Friday, March 22, and featured “On the Farm, At the Market” by G. Brian Karas.

As a local farmer and a volunteer with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Pulver said he jumped at the opportunity to participate in Agricultural Literacy Week in a library setting.

“It’s important as farmers that we go out and educate the youth toward what agriculture is,” he explained. “There’s such a disconnect between where food comes from and where people think it comes from.”

With his loyal Siberian Husky, Ace, by his side, Pulver was greeted by an eager crowd of 10 children. As a special guest to the library, Pulver introduced the children to Mocha, a rescue pony from Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, and Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue Executive Director Deanna Mancuso.

Gathering the children in a circle on the rug, Pulver read aloud from a brand new copy of “On the Farm, At the Market,” which he later donated to the library. Along with answering their questions about food and farming, he invited the children to visit with Ace, and the husky reveled in the attention. With Mancuso by his side, Mocha the pony received a couple of affectionate pats on the head and hugs from the children. 

“I certainly have noticed since I started here that the Cornell Cooperative Extension reaches out to libraries, which is nice,” said NorthEast-Millerton Library Youth Services Coordinator Kristin McClune. “We were very happy to have Mr. Pulver here.”