Plant Something For Me

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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

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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

00

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

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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!

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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

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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!

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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

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5

Dioxide

Plants give us oxygen to breathe,

and food to eat!

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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

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5

Dioxide

Plants give us oxygen to breathe,

and food to eat!

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Fibrous root

Plants hold the soil with their roots,

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Taproot

and they create habitats for birds, animals, insects,

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Fibrous root

Plants hold the soil with their roots,

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Taproot

and they create habitats for birds, animals, insects,

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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!

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

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

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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

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

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

v

Planting seedlings

Collecting fir tips to make wreaths

and for people, too!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some people work in a greenhouse growing plants inside.

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

Some people work in a greenhouse growing plants inside.

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

There are farms that grow turf,

and farms that grow trees.

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

There are farms that grow turf,

and farms that grow trees.

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vv

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Some farms, called orchards, grow fruit.

Market gardens grow vegetables and flowers.

Maybe you would like to design a garden or landscape?

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vv

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Some farms, called orchards, grow fruit.

Market gardens grow vegetables and flowers.

Maybe you would like to design a garden or landscape?

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Do you have plants inside your classroom?

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Many people have gardens at home that they design themselves.

Does you school have a garden?

Plants can make the world a nicer place.

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Do you have plants inside your classroom?

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Many people have gardens at home that they design themselves.

Does you school have a garden?

Plants can make the world a nicer place.

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There could be one plant, or many!

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The tallest sunflowers come from tiny seeds.

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There could be one plant, or many!

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The tallest sunflowers come from tiny seeds.

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There are so many ways that people need plants.

Every one of us can plant something!

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This mighty oak tree started as one small acorn.

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There are so many ways that people need plants.

Every one of us can plant something!

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This mighty oak tree started as one small acorn.

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Let’s “Plant Something” for you!!

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What would YOU like to plant?

Let’s “Plant Something” for you!!

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What would YOU like to plant?