Menu

Each year OFBF presents an award to an author of a book that is an outstanding contribution to children’s literature with an agricultural theme. This year the award went to Fantastic Farm Machines, written by Cris Peterson, with photographs by David R. Lundquist and published by Boyds Mills Press. The book shows how 12 pieces of modern machinery, including tractors, planters and combines, accomplish tough jobs on the farm.

Peterson received the Children's Literature Award at the 2006 OFBF Annual Meeting, where she also signed copies of her book.

The author is no stranger to OFBF. Farm Bureau has given the Children’s Literature Award to Peterson for writing Extra Cheese, Please (1995), Harvest Year (1997) and Century Farm (1999).

In 2004, Peterson was named National Dairy Woman of the Year at the World Dairy Expo to honor her writing and her leadership in the agricultural industry. She and her family run a 500-cow dairy farm in Grantsburg, Wisc.

"Cris Peterson embodies everything you want in an agricultural writer. She knows agriculture, because she lives it and breathes it every day," said Judy Roush, OFBF promotion and education specialist.

A committee of the OFBF board of trustees makes the annual selection. The criteria for the winning book was developed in 1989 and revised several years ago to make sure the illustrations/artwork/photographs in the book are taken into consideration.

Farm Bureau members purchase the books and donate them to local schools, public libraries and other locations children are likely to find them.

While in town, Peterson took the time to read to kindergarten students at East Pilgrim Elementary, a Columbus City School that received copies of her book.

"Anyone can be an author," she told the students while showing them how she wrote about farm machines.

Fantastic Farm Machines will join the other honored books that have been chosen since 1989 and will be used extensively in OFBF’s education programs. To obtain copies of Fantastic Farm Machines, contact your county Farm Bureau office, or visit the OFBF Web site at www.ofbf.org and click on "Learning Resources."

Caption: Author Cris Peterson of Wisconsin reads to inner-city students at East Pilgrim Elementary School in Columbus after receiving an award at OFBF's annual meeting. Photo by Susan Gaughan