Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm named AITC Book of the Year

RICHMOND, VA (VR) — Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom has selected Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm by Lindsay H. Metcalf as its 2025 Book of the Year.

Volunteers will read the book to thousands of children during Virginia AITC’s annual Agriculture Literacy Week, March 17-21.

With bright illustrations by Xin Li, Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm explores how produce is grown both inside and outside on farms. Readers can join best friends Emma and Efrem as they learn about their families’ farms and the various farming equipment, innovations and techniques involved in growing the food we enjoy.

“This year’s selection spotlights the diversity of agriculture and the technology used to produce food for our communities and worldwide,” said Tammy Maxey, Virginia AITC’s executive director. “Agriculture Literacy Week is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to share stories of farming with children across the commonwealth. Over 70,000 youth participate in this event annually, spurring their interest in agriculture and in growing food and fiber.”

Now in its 15^th year, Agriculture Literacy Week is AITC’s largest educational event of the year, with thousands of volunteers reading to children across the commonwealth. The program helps teach youth about the importance of agriculture, and about the origins of their food.

Copies of Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm are available for purchase at $14 each from Virginia AITC, and a book order form is located on the Virginia AITC website, virginia.agclassroom.org.

In addition to the book, orders will include free supplementary resources to expand learning at school and at home. Books will be accompanied by a volunteer guide, as well as other teaching resources to be presented to the classroom educator.

Volunteers are encouraged to read Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm to children in pre-K through third grade. Virginia AITC also will share highlights on its social media platforms throughout the week.

Agriculture Literacy Week participants include county Farm Bureau volunteers; Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership and Young Farmers committees; FFA and 4-H members; partners from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and other state agencies; and members of other agricultural organizations and businesses. Colonial Farm Credit and Farm Credit of the Virginias have been supporters as well.

For details or to order books, visit virginia.agclassroom.org.