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Why a Children's
Book Series from KFB?
Dan Yunk
10/11/07
Some folks might
question why Kansas Farm Bureau would choose
to author a children’s book series.
Good question!
Simple answer!
In this day and
age we no longer can assume that the public
understands the importance and value of
production agriculture to the quality of
American life.
Many citizens
today are generations removed from the farm
or ranch of their ancestors. Whereas their
ancestors toiled in the sun for hours
tilling the ground and harvesting the
bounty, many of today’s town, suburban and
urban dwellers no longer have that same
connection. They have lost touch, through
no fault of their own, with production
agriculture.
Add to this the
change in population demographics. Ag
Producers are in the minority with little to
no chance of the trend reversing. The
numbers of farmers and ranchers are going to
continue to decrease but there is no reason
that the influence and importance of what
farmers and ranchers do to contribute to
society should be diminished. An on-going
and creative effort to educate and inform
must occur however.
Then there are
the groups who through the spread of
misinformation try to damage production
agriculture if not destroy it. The facts
need to be presented. The truth needs to be
told.
It is our
responsibility as representatives of the
largest and most influential general
agriculture organization in Kansas to help
educate the public about an industry that
provides the world with food, fiber, and
fuel.
The inspiration
for this book came several years ago when
KFB hosted its annual Governor’s Tour in
Sedgwick County. Our 4-year-old
granddaughter Kailey accompanied Grandma and
Grandpa Yunk to Wichita and participated in
the tour. In addition to several stops at
farms Kailey toured the Hiland Dairy plant
and was fascinated by the whole process.
Shortly thereafter she made a trip to the
Farm Bureau Day at the State Fair and again
was mesmerized by the birthing barn and
other agricultural exhibits.
Seeing the
excitement in our granddaughter’s eyes as a
new world opened to her was the spark for a
series of books that would help other young
children experience through reading the
wonders of production agriculture.
And, who knows,
maybe more than a few parents or teachers
will learn something from these books as
well when they sit down and read them to
their children and students. |
