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Richland Soil and Water Conservation District and Richland County Farm Bureau donated three environmental and agriculture literacy kits to Richland County elementary schools and the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library. The kits provide a turnkey lesson plan for kindergarten through sixth grade educators to instruct students about natural resources, food and agriculture. The kits include children’s books, lesson plans and items needed for an activity. A total of 75 kits were distributed throughout the county in December 2024 and January 2025. 

Volunteers from both organizations helped assemble the kits and delivered them to the schools. 

Individuals, homeschoolers, homeschool groups, scout troops, 4-H clubs and church groups are invited to check out the kits through the library. Financial support for the Cultivating Minds Project was provided by the Richland County Foundation Gift of Grain Fund, Richland County Youth and Family Council, private donations, and MRCPL.

A private soil and water donor assembled and funded an additional kit that simulates stream monitoring in an indoor setting. “Water Quality? Ask the Bugs” is a Project Wet lesson for middle and high school students. It may be checked out also through the library.

Kit Titles and Descriptions are provided below:

Freddy the Fish: K – 6 grades

Participants listen to the story of Freddy the Fish. He decides to travel downstream and witnesses pollution being dumped into his environment. Students are asked how Freddy feels as more pollution is added and come to realize that pollution can add up and impact our environment. 

Let’s Raise a Barn: 3 – 5 grades

Participants listen to Barn at Night, a book about an after-dark journey out to the barn on a cold winter evening. The students learn about different types of barns and design a barn to meet the needs of a specific farm animal.

Search for the Source: K – 2 and 3 – 5 grades

Participants listen to Right This Very Minute, a table-to-farm book about food and farming. The instructor engages students in discussion about everyday items. Relay teams fill the Source Baskets with pictures of items and discuss the true source of the items. 

For additional information, please contact Richland Soil & Water at [email protected], 419-747-8685 or Richland County Farm Bureau at [email protected] or 419-747-7488.