Agriculture will be celebrated in classrooms across Manitoba this March as Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM) returns, connecting students with the people who grow their food and power Canada’s agriculture sector. CALM is an initiative of Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) and is delivered in Manitoba in partnership with Agriculture in the Classroom–Manitoba (AITC-M).
This year, 159 dedicated volunteers are delivering 436 classroom sessions, reaching 7,411 students across 363 classrooms throughout the province, including 60 presentations in French. Classroom visits are taking place in both urban and rural communities, offering students a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from farmers and agriculture professionals about their careers, experiences, and the role agriculture plays in everyday life.
“CALM is about bringing agriculture to life for students through real people and real stories,” says Katharine Cherewyk, Executive Director of Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba. “When students meet someone who works in agriculture, it helps them better understand where their food comes from and see the many career paths that exist within the sector.”
Each classroom visit includes hands-on learning supported by AITC-M provided resources. This year, volunteers are leading the Commodity Match-Up – Livestock Edition activity and sharing agriculture-themed stories through two books: D’où vient la viande de bœuf? and Right This Very Minute: A Table-to-Farm Book About Food and Farming. These activities are designed to spark curiosity and encourage meaningful conversations about food, farming, and sustainability.
“Every volunteer brings their own lived experience into the classroom,” adds Cherewyk. “From farming and research to agri-business and food production, these visits show students that agriculture is diverse, innovative, and deeply connected to their communities.”
Now in its 15th year, Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month celebrates the connection between students and food producers and leaders in the agriculture industry. The national initiative helps ensure the next generation of Canadians not only understands where their food comes from but also recognizes the importance of agriculture to communities from coast to coast.
