The importance of reading and agriculture was highlighted statewide after Gov. Mark Gordon proclaimed Feb. 23–28, 2026, as Wyoming Agricultural Literacy Week.

While the designated week provided an opportunity to spotlight both literacy and agriculture, leaders said both remain essential year-round. In the proclamation, Gordon recognized agriculture’s economic and cultural importance to 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 read 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 proclamation also connected literacy and learning.

“Literacy is a top priority for school children and non-fiction books are an important tool in teaching children about the world around them,” it stated.

The week centered around the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation’s Ag Books for Kids program, an initiative launched in 2005 by the organization’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. The first Agricultural Literacy Week proclamation was signed in 2008, marking nearly two decades of statewide emphasis on agricultural education.

The program aimed to build collections of accurate, agriculture-focused reading materials in Wyoming elementary schools. Each year featured a book of the year, with the 2026 selection being The Kindergarten Cowman by Rachel Gabel.

Volunteer leaders from across the state purchased and donated books to local elementary schools to ensure students had access to agriculture-based materials.

In addition to classroom reading, contests are held in conjunction with the featured book to further engage students. This year’s contests includ a coloring contest for kindergarten and first grade; a poster contest for second and third grades; and a marketing ad contest for fourth and fifth grades.

Hannah Guild, chair of the Wyoming Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, said the program playes a key role in strengthening agriculture’s future.

“I believe that teaching the youth directly strengthens agriculture through knowledge and understanding,” Guild said. “Ag Books for Kids is an important program because of how it helps to educate the youth of our state on agriculture."

She continued, “So many people grow up never understanding where their food comes from or what a large role agriculture plays in their lives. When people don’t understand things they can have misconceptions and misunderstandings when they get older.”

Spencer Axtell, vice chair of the committee, said witnessing the proclamation signing at the Capitol continued a long-standing tradition.

“This is just continuing the tradition that we’ve held for so long here at the Capitol,” Axtell said.

Wyoming students and teachers areencouraged to visit their elementary school libraries to check out the featured Ag Books for Kids selection and participate in the associated contests. Additional information and contest rules are available at wyfb.org.