In a move to cultivate a deeper understanding of agriculture among young readers, the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) and Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) are partnering to donate copies of the children’s book, “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden,” to nearly 400 libraries across the Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS).

The collaborative initiative saw each county Farm Bureau in Georgia receive enough copies of the book to distribute to every public library within their respective counties. Recent donations included the Summerville and Trion libraries. “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden,” authored by Peggy Thomas and beautifully illustrated by Neely Daggett, tells the engaging story of Jackie and her garden companions as they embark on a journey to uncover the wonders of gardening, the secrets hidden within the soil, and the magic of composting. The narrative celebrates the joys of planting, nurturing, and harvesting food, while also emphasizing the importance of recycling scraps for composting, thereby sustaining a continuous cycle of growth.

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has recognized the book’s merit, selecting it as its 2025 Book of the Year.

This donation aims to spark an early interest in agriculture and promote a greater appreciation for the source of our food and the importance of sustainable practices.