Thomas County Farm Bureau (TCFB) Women’s Committee Chairman Julie Hardy, right, and TCFB Office Manager, Stacey Merritt, left, recently presented a copy of the children’s ag book “How to Grow a Monster” to Amanda Redker at the Thomas County Public Library. The donation was made on behalf of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia EMC.

MACON, Ga.  – TheGeorgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) are jointly promoting agricultural literacy by donating copies of the children’s book “How to Grow a Monster” to nearly 400 libraries in the Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS). 

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) and Georgia EMC have given each county Farm Bureau in Georgia enough books for every public library in the county. Thomas County Farm Bureau recently delivered a copy of the book to each of the 6 public libraries in Thomas County.      

“How to Grow a Monster,” written by Kiki Thorpe and illustrated by Barbara Bongini, explores the theme of gardening and includes a gardening-related activity for children to try themselves. Tapping into the popular makers movement (hands-on learning), the book is part of a series of fun, easy-to-read stories that focus on problem-solving and hands-on action. The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture selected the book as its 2022 Book of the Year for its accurate and positive portrayal of agriculture. 

The GFA is thrilled to partner with Georgia EMC and Georgia Farm Bureau to donate the book. The GFA began donating accurate books about agriculture to each public library in Georgia in 2016. Georgia EMC joined the foundation in this endeavor in 2018.

ABOUT THE GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE

The GFA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preparing the next generation of leaders for success in Georgia agriculture. The GFA works with Georgia Farm Bureau and other Georgia agricultural and educational organizations to achieve its mission. The foundation offers scholarships to students pursuing agricultural careers, funds leadership development programs and projects that increase the public’s understanding of agriculture. The recently launched Georgia Ag Experience, a mobile classroom that introduces third through fifth graders to Georgia’s top crops. To make a tax-deductible donation or learn more about the foundation, visit www.gafoundationag.org or contact GFA Executive Director Lily Baucom at 478-405-3461 or lrbaucom@gfb.org.

ABOUT THE GEORGIA ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION          

Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association that represents the 41 electric cooperatives across Georgia, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. Collectively these customer-owned co-ops provide electricity and related services to 4.4 million people across 73% of the state’s land area. Visit www.georgiaemc.com to learn more about Georgia EMC.