CULTIVATING CURIOSITY: A READING CHALLENGE ABOUT CARING FOR FARMS AND ANIMALS

FEBRUARY 09 - APRIL 10

To celebrate Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), we are excited to launch the 2026 Canadian Agriculture Literacy Challenge. This year’s theme, Cultivating Curiosity, invites students to explore how farmers care for animals, protect animal health, and responsibly manage farms. Through reading, reflection, and hands-on learning, students will build curiosity and understanding about where food comes from and the care that goes into raising animals on modern farms.

OVER $3200 IN PRIZES

• 9 WEEKLY DRAWS: Active participants (who read books, complete activities, and post reviews) have a chance to win 1 of 3 $100 Indigo gift cards.

• GRAND PRIZE DRAWS: Win 1 of 2 Prize Packs worth $250 featuring Indigo gift cards to outfit your learning space!

Read. Learn. Ask Questions. Grow Understanding.

Students and educators are encouraged to read books about farming, animals, animal care, and agriculture in British Columbia. Complete learning activities, write reviews, and share your learning for chances to win prizes!

Register and Participate in the Challenge:

1. Go to https://aitc.beanstack.org or download the Beanstack Tracker app from the Google or Apple store.

2. Register as an individual/family or class/group.*

3. Select the challenge, and explore the overview and accompanying badges.

4. To log minutes of reading, viewing, or activities or write a review, click the buttons on the top left-hand corner of the site.

* If you participated in last year’s Challenge, you can log into your account and then make changes to your participants

Book for CALM 2026

BCAITC’s featured book for CALM 2026 introduces students to farm animals and the thoughtful care farmers provide every day. Through engaging text and illustrations, students learn about animal needs, daily farm routines, and the important role animals play in agriculture.

Pair the book with guided discussion (coming soon) to encourage curiosity, questions, and deeper understanding of farming practices in British Columbia.

Featured Activity for CALM 2026

Details coming soon!
The accompanying activity will support student learning around animal care, farming responsibility, and agricultural decision-making, and will complement the featured book.

#CALM 26

Sharing is caring - use #CALM26 on social media to share your updates and photos of students reading about agriculture, plants, growing and farmers in British Columbia!

Questions about CALM? Need assistance? Email Amy Bawtinheimer, BCAITC Education Specialist at teacher@aitc.ca.

Log books, complete the activities, be eligible to win prizes!