Local Kootenay Ranchers inspire the Next Generation

Agriculture in the Classroom Canada is the national voice of agriculture education.

by Keith Powell — October 11, 2018

Karen and Doug Barraclough recently won the Kootenay Livestock Association's 2018 Agriculturalist of the Year award. — Photo courtesy KLA

Up to 1,000 children in one-year will participate in the Agriculture in the Classroom program which is delivered by Karen Barraclough on Behalf of the Kootenay Livestock Association. Karen and her husband Doug won the Kootenay Livestock Association's 2018 Agriculturalist of the Year Award.

Kudos to Karen Barraclough, a rancher and retired educator in Skookumchuk, for delivering the Kootenay Livestock Association's popular Agriculture in the Classroom program. Karen travels all over the East Kootenays teaching elementary students about farming and where their food comes from, organizing and leading field trips to local farms, ranches, dairies, apiaries and orchards.

Here’s some background on the classroom program:

Leaders in Agriculture Education in Canada - food connects us all to agriculture. And in a complex and changing world, it is more important than ever to inspire the next generation to care about the food they eat, where it comes from, the farmers who grow it, and how it got to their plates.

Now more than ever, our young people deserve to hear Canada’s food story.

Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) is the national voice of agriculture education.

We believe in enhancing knowledge and appreciation of agriculture and food in Canada. As part of a cross-country effort, we work with our 9 provincial members to empower students and educators with accurate, balanced, and current curriculum-linked programs, resources, and initiatives focused on agriculture and the food industry.

As a charitable organization, we are proud to work with numerous partners, including government, industry, and passionate individuals who share our belief in creating educational experiences for students that will engage, connect, and inspire a deeper connection to agriculture in Canada.