| Sort by Title | |
|---|---|
| P is for PeachesDid you know peaches were already a cultivated crop when English settlers first arrived in Virginia? Native American Indians planted the fruit in the area that would become Patrick County. That county plays host to the Virginia Peach Festival each year. Today, Virginia is the 14th largest peach producing state in the nation and in 2003 the peach crop produced more than $3.4 million dollars in cash receipts.Grades K-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 Science | History-Social Science |
| C is for CabbageDid you know there is historical evidence that cabbage has been in cultivation for more than four thousand years? Cabbage was brought to North America in the 1600's and the first record of planting cabbages was in 1699Grades K-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 Science | History-Social Science |
| Y is for YieldsIn agriculture, crop yield… which is also known as "agricultural output"… is a measure of the yield per unit area of land under cultivation. As agricultural practices and technology have improved over time, so too have crop yields.Grades 6-8 History-Social Science |
| S is for State FairMany of you may think that the State Fair is all about the rides and delicious food! But, the State Fair got its start from agriculture. The State Fair of Virginia has celebrated the state’s rich heritage in agriculture since the first fair in 1854… Every year, the State Fair helps to advance students through scholarships and encourage friendly competition in a fun atmosphere.Grades 6-8 History-Social Science |
| Q is for Queen BeeEvery honeybee hive has a queen bee. It is her job to lay all the eggs that will develop into the worker bees. The workers feed the young bees and collect the nectar that will be turned into honey.Grades K-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 Science | History-Social Science |
| N is for NutsPeanuts have been around a long time. Originally from South America, they were carried back to Spain by early explorers or missionaries, then to Africa and back to the United States by African slaves. The first commercial peanut crop in Virginia was grown in the 1840’s in Sussex County, near the town of Waverly.Grades K-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 Science | History-Social Science |
| G is for GrainOften when we think of grains… we think of soft red wheat and barley. The production of these grains is big business in Virginia as well. In 2002, 170,000 acres of soft red wheat were harvested in Virginia to produce a net worth of approximately 33 million dollars! That same year 40,000 acres of barley were harvested to produce a net worth of over 6 million dollars.Grades 6-8 History-Social Science |
| O is for OrchardThe definition of an orchard is an intentional planting of trees maintained for food production. Most orchards are comprise of either fruit or nut-producing trees for commercial production. In Virginia, apples are grown in over 250 commercial orchards, totaling more than 18,000 acres of land.Grades K-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 Science | History-Social Science |
| J is for JuiceApples are big business for Virginia… Virginia’s climate is ideal for growing many apple varieties. Virginia's apple harvest begins the last week in August and extends through early November. Summer varieties are harvested July through August. An average of 8 to 10 million bushels of apples will be produced annually by Virginia growers.Grades 6-8 History-Social Science |
| B is for BerryStrawberry history goes back over 2200 years ago. It is thought that the name "strawberry" came from the practice of growers spreading a layer of straw around the plants when the berries begin to form, or from the sellers who strung berries on pieces of straw to carry them to market.Grades K-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 Science | History-Social Science |
