The importance of reading and agriculture is being recognized statewide this week as Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon proclaimed Feb. 23–28, 2026, as Wyoming Agricultural Literacy Week. In the official proclamation, the governor highlighted agriculture’s economic and cultural impact across the state.
“Wyoming is rich in agricultural history, and farming and ranching are an important part of Wyoming’s economy, contributing nearly two billion dollars annually,” the proclamation reads in part. “Many aspects of our daily lives, including the food we eat, clothes we wear, and medicine we depend on, are made possible because of agriculture.”
The week centers around the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Ag Books for Kids program, launched in 2005 by the organization’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. Started in 2005 by the Young Farmer and Rancher Committee, the Ag Books for Kids program has been promoting agricultural literacy for two decades. Following the first proclamation in 2008, the program has continued building collections of accurate, agriculture-focused books in Wyoming elementary schools.
The 2026 Book of the Year is The Kindergarten Cowman by Rachel Gabel. Through the program, County Farm Bureaus supply books to local schools and volunteers step into classrooms to share the story directly with students.
The grassroots strength of the Farm Bureau Federation enables the “Ag Books for Kids” project to reach across the great state of Wyoming. This year the county Farm Bureau Federations purchased 789 books to donate to Wyoming elementary schools.
Wyoming students and teachers are encouraged to visit their school’s elementary library to check out the 2026 book “The Kindergarten Cowman” by Rachel Gabel. Three contests are offered for Wyoming students Kindergarten-5th grade. The contest deadline is March 20, 2026 and details are available at wyfb.org.
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WYFB – 2026
