On Saturday, March 22, the library celebrated the culmination of Agricultural Literacy Week, which is a statewide effort to educate children about the importance of agriculture and introduce them to the joys of farming.

Youngsters who attended the event listened to Amy Allen read the book “The Pie That Molly Grew” by Sue Heavenrich. Allen is the mother of Josie Laurie who works at the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Laurie was scheduled to read at the library, but due to unforeseen circumstances, she asked her mother to step in.

Allen was a good choice. She lives on a self-described hobby farm, which includes pigs and cows and she loves agriculture. “I love to read about agriculture to kids,” she said. “I hope it helps them want to do a garden and learn to grow their own food and to know where their food comes from.”

The story of “The Pie That Molly Grew” follows the process of making a pumpkin pie, beginning with the seed and the plant, then the pumpkin itself, and finally the recipe for making it into a pie.

Amy Allen reads the book The Pie That Molly Grew to children at the Alexander Findley Community Library as part of the Agriculture Libteracy Week.

After the storytime, Allen led the children present in a craft which illustrated the process from seed to pumpkin pie. During the reading, Allen shared an experience when pumpkins grew unexpectedly in her cow pasture. “The cows left the pumpkins alone until they turned orange,” she said. “Once they turned orange, they stomped them down and ate them.”

The adults present were engaged in the event as much as the children. One woman asked how to cut a Hubbard squash. Allen responded “You have to use an ax,” and Library Manager Cala Glatz added. “I pick them up and throw them down hard on the ground, but they are worth the trouble.”

Glatz said that she and Claudia, one of the children who comes to the library on a regular basis, have made a “pumpkin pact in which they are each going to try to grow a pumpkin this year. ” When it’s ready, we will reserve the kitchen in the Community Center and have a pie making day. Then we’ll all get to celebrate a successful harvest and enjoy the delicious fruits of our labor.”

Allen said that she highly encourages organizations such as 4-H and FFA to children. Her own daughter, Josie, was in the 4-H since she was eight years old and later joined FFA and, of course, ended up at Cornell Cooperative Extension, she said. “Programs such as 4-H and FFA teach children responsible care for animals, how to research topics and it helps them make a farming budget,” she added.

While Agricultural Literacy Week was celebrated in schools from March 17 to 21, the library regularly holds special events for children and families on Saturdays. Participants enjoy activities, camaraderie, play time and, of course, snacks, on a regular basis. “I always have fun at the library,” said 5-year-old Jackson. “I like the kids’ area and during the story, I was able to eat some Gushers.”