PETERSBURG, MI — As growing season is in full swing and farmers spend long hours preparing healthy crops, some preschoolers in Petersburg are finding creative ways to show their appreciation.
Under the direction of school founder and teacher Amber Bruckner, Pine Row Preschool and Childcare students are sending thank you cards to more than 125 farmers.
Licensed by the State of Michigan, the agricultural preschool opened Aug. 21, 2021 and has more than 30 families enrolled.
Bruckner, an Ida High School graduate, obtained her associate degree in early childhood education at Monroe County Community College.
She has been working in early childhood education for 12 years. Bruckner said founding the school was prompted by a conversation with a parent at another preschool where she was working.
“The conversation showed how little people are educated on where our food comes from, how its processed or really much about agriculture in general,” Bruckner said. “I wanted to open a preschool based on agriculture to educate future generations on the topic.”
She said the idea to say “thank you” to those working in agriculture came from a class she attended.
“We started the ‘Thank A Farmer’ cards three years ago after I did a mental health training on depression and suicide rates in the agricultural industry,” Bruckner said. “The children love to make them and I know the farmers love to receive them.”
Based on names submitted to the school, farmers and people in agricultural businesses will get a card in the mail. The school pays for postage.
Last month, Bruckner posted on the school’s Facebook page a message asking for nominations.
“It’s that time of the year again,” the post read. “Give a shout out to your favorite farmers/cattlemen/cattlewomen/farm hands/ranchers and rural people and say thank you! We will send them a thank you card from the Pine Row students to show appreciation. You can nominate them below in the comments or to surprise them, send me a personal message.”
Bruckner shared why it is important to do these acts of kindness.
“They spend countless hours in the fields and barns in all hours of the day,” she said. “If we can send an uplifting message to them to brighten their day, it’s worth it.”
She said the students enjoy making and sending messages of gratitude.
“The children love brainstorming how to make the cards and who to send them to,” she added. “I love hearing the farmers’ feedback when they get them and how they respond to them.”
This article originally appeared on Farmers Advance: Pine Row preschoolers ‘Thank a Farmer’ with handmade cards
Reporting by Lisa Vidaurri Bowling / Farmers Advance
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
