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This book written especially for the “Read ME Agriculture� Volunteer Reading Project as a special gift to participating pre-kindergarten to 4th Grade classrooms from

www.MaineAgintheClassroom.org

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This book written especially for the “Read ME Agriculture� Volunteer Reading Project as a special gift to participating pre-kindergarten to 4th Grade classrooms from

www.MaineAgintheClassroom.org

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2

Plant Something for ME

A girl picks green tea leaves in China A pygmy owl lives in a cactus in Arizona

made possible by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant and our Maine Agricultural Specialty License Plate

A Maine boy with wild blueberries

A SPECIAL thank you to every Maine driver that proudly displays this plate! The Book Development Committee: Peter Baecher - Maine Audobon,Falmouth Mike Hughes RCA, BCMA - Hughes Inc. Arbor and Land Management, Freeport Jeff Marstallar - Cozy Acres Greenhouses, North Yarmouth Bryan Peterson - School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine Orono Julie Sawtelle, MCN, MCL - Cumston Public Library, Monmouth Lauren St. Germain Kidd - Beds & Borders Garden Consultation & Design, New Vineyard

3

Editor - Willie Sawyer Grenier - MAITC Executive Director Graphic Design - Kaiden Kelley

A boy in South Africa growing crops A vendor at a farmer’s market in Brazil

All people and animals need plants!

4

5

Plant Something for ME

A girl picks green tea leaves in China A pygmy owl lives in a cactus in Arizona

made possible by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant and our Maine Agricultural Specialty License Plate

A Maine boy with wild blueberries

A SPECIAL thank you to every Maine driver that proudly displays this plate! The Book Development Committee: Peter Baecher - Maine Audobon,Falmouth Mike Hughes RCA, BCMA - Hughes Inc. Arbor and Land Management, Freeport Jeff Marstallar - Cozy Acres Greenhouses, North Yarmouth Bryan Peterson - School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine Orono Julie Sawtelle, MCN, MCL - Cumston Public Library, Monmouth Lauren St. Germain Kidd - Beds & Borders Garden Consultation & Design, New Vineyard

3

Editor - Willie Sawyer Grenier - MAITC Executive Director Graphic Design - Kaiden Kelley

A boy in South Africa growing crops A vendor at a farmer’s market in Brazil

All people and animals need plants!

4

5

All green plants use carbon dioxide (CO2), water, and sunlight, in a process called photosynthesis, to release oxygen (O2) back into the atmosphere.

Oxy gen

Carb

on

4

5

Dioxide

Plants give us oxygen to breathe,

and food to eat! 6

All green plants use carbon dioxide (CO2), water, and sunlight, in a process called photosynthesis, to release oxygen (O2) back into the atmosphere.

Oxy gen

Carb

on

4

5

Dioxide

Plants give us oxygen to breathe,

and food to eat! 6

Fibrous root

Plants hold the soil with their roots,

7

Taproot

and they create habitats for birds, animals, insects,

8

9

Fibrous root

Plants hold the soil with their roots,

7

Taproot

and they create habitats for birds, animals, insects,

8

9

Working as a florist arranging flowers Seeding plants at a greenhouse.

v

Planting seedlings

Collecting fir tips to make wreaths

and for people, too!

8

9

Taking care of plants creates many important jobs right here in our state! How would you like to have a career working with plants?

10

to make natural sugars and starches that people and animals need to survive.

10

12 13

Sun

ligh

CO

t

to make natural sugars and starches that people and animals need to survive.

Plants make their own food through photosynthesis. People and animals can use these nutrients as food, too!

2

r

te a W

11

Plants use water, carbon dioxide (CO2), and sunlight

11

Working as a florist arranging flowers Seeding plants at a greenhouse.

v

Planting seedlings

Collecting fir tips to make wreaths

and for people, too!

8

9

Taking care of plants creates many important jobs right here in our state! How would you like to have a career working with plants?

12

You could be a landscaper, installing plants and moving soil.

You might want to be an arborist and take care of trees. 12 13

14

You could be a landscaper, installing plants and moving soil.

You might want to be an arborist and take care of trees. 12 13

14

You might want to be a groundskeeper, keeping plants neat and healthy.

Some people work in a greenhouse growing plants inside. 15

16 17

You might want to be a groundskeeper, keeping plants neat and healthy.

Some people work in a greenhouse growing plants inside. 15

16 17

Others work in a nursery and grow many types of plants outside.

There are farms that grow turf,

and farms that grow trees. 16 17

18

Others work in a nursery and grow many types of plants outside.

There are farms that grow turf,

and farms that grow trees. 16 17

18

vv

19

Some farms, called orchards, grow fruit.

Market gardens grow vegetables and flowers.

Maybe you would like to design a garden or landscape?

20 21

vv

19

Some farms, called orchards, grow fruit.

Market gardens grow vegetables and flowers.

Maybe you would like to design a garden or landscape?

20 21

Do you have plants inside your classroom?

20 21

Many people have gardens at home that they design themselves. Does you school have a garden?

Plants can make the world a nicer place.

22

Do you have plants inside your classroom?

20 21

Many people have gardens at home that they design themselves. Does you school have a garden?

Plants can make the world a nicer place.

22

There could be one plant, or many! 23

The tallest sunflowers come from tiny seeds.

24 25

There could be one plant, or many! 23

The tallest sunflowers come from tiny seeds.

24 25

There are so many ways that people need plants. Every one of us can plant something!

24 25

This mighty oak tree started as one small acorn.

26

There are so many ways that people need plants. Every one of us can plant something!

24 25

This mighty oak tree started as one small acorn.

26

Let’s “Plant Something” for you!!

27

What would YOU like to plant?

Let’s “Plant Something” for you!!

27

What would YOU like to plant?