MANTECA — The San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation for Agriculture In The Classroom awarded nine teachers and parents with plaques June 10. The group received the awards for efforts in developing Farm Days in south county schools.

This year’s recipients were Janet Dyk of New Haven and Knodt Elementary School; Debbie Wilson and Rosemarie Craighead of Shasta Elementary; Patti Smith of St. Anthony’s Catholic School; Jeanie Pacheco of Great Valley Elementary; Janet Cabezut of August Knodt Elementary; Sherry Johns of Ripon High School; Jennifer Medeiros of Komure Elementary; and Sharon Silveira of Mossdale Elementary.

“I was kind of surprised (about the award),” said Dyk, who started a Farm Days program 13 years ago at New Haven School. “I think it’s wonderful for the farm bureau to acknowledge folks that bring ag education to our students.”

Each year the farm bureau takes about 30 teachers from San Joaquin County and gives them instruction on how to teach their students about the importance of agriculture. The class consists of four days of field trips and presentations on agriculture in the county.

Farm Days is taught to thousands of students in kindergarten through eighth grade each year, with 30 to 55 people making presentations about agriculture at the schools.

• Contact reporter Denise Ellen Rizzo at 239-6351, ext. 304, or denise@sunpost.net.