Read Across Iowa will be celebrated on March 1 and throughout the month of March to bring the joys of reading to students of all ages, making all children feel valued and welcomed. 

This agriculturally themed Read Across Iowa event and the accompanying resources will feature books and materials about agriculture that will appeal to all readers.

Research shows that reading to children and having books in the home is one of the strongest predictors of school success. 

“This agriculturally themed Read Across Iowa event and the accompanying resources will feature books and materials about agriculture that will appeal to all readers,” said Will Fett, executive director of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation. 

“Agriculture is essential to the economy of Iowa. Agriculture is a great way to contextualize learning. Everybody eats, and learning about our food system can be fun too!”

Educators can request a kit of free books and materials to participate. The kit will include books like "My Family's Soybean Farm," "Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car" and "Las calabacitas de Zora" (Zora's Zucchini). Supplies are limited, and kits will be available to the first 1,000 requests. 

“Researchers estimate reading can reduce stress up to 68%,” said Constance Beecher, associate professor and family literacy extension state specialist for Iowa State University. “Adults with a reading habit are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.”

Iowa State University Exten­sion and Outreach offices will also be getting kits and books so that they can assist local educators in participating.

“It is important to help motivate our kids to read, bring the joys of reading to students of all ages, and help make all children feel valued and welcome,” said Iowa State Education Association president, Mike Beranek.

To learn more and request a free kit with books for students, visit IowaAgLiteracy.org.