The Journal Of Rowdy The Cow Kid
March is Agricultural Literacy Month, and if you’ve been following this column long enough, you already know I have a huge heart for teaching kids about agriculture and where their food comes from.
Since 2011, I’ve written nine agriculturally-accurate children’s books, and I’ve taken them coast-to-coast. I’m committed to celebrating America’s farmers and ranchers, and showing kids how folks like my friends and family back home in South Dakota are stewards of the land, livestock, and people.
I’ve taken these books from New York City to Los Angeles and everywhere in between, and for most of these kids, I am the first farmer/rancher they have ever met. It’s a humbling exercise, and it’s abundantly clear to me that we have our work cut out in engaging and empowering the next generation of consumers to know the truth about how food is grown, raised, harvested, and delivered to them in the grocery store.
My book titles include, “Levi’s Lost Calf,” “Can-Do Cowkids,” “Beef Strong, “Soil Quilt,” “A Home Run For Peanuts,” “Roll, Spread, Sprinkle, Bake,” “Faith, Family, Freedom,” and “C is for Care,” all illustrated by talented western artist, Michelle Weber, of Lake Benton, Minn.
My 9-year old daughter, Scarlett, has gotten in on the action, following in her mom’s footsteps, and this past fall, she wrote and illustrated her own book based on the true story of her bottle calf. “Scarlett and Lucky” released in 2023, and she’s been busy on the road with me reading her story and talking about ranch life from the perspective of a kid.
And to kick off March Agricultural Literacy Month, I’m so excited to share my newest book — “The Journal of Rowdy the Cow Kid.” Illustrated by Weber; designed by Hannah Shroyer; published by Ag Storytellers; and commissioned by the South Dakota Beef Industry Council and the Beef Checkoff Program, the story features a little boy named, “Rowdy,” and shares a full calendar year of his adventures on the family beef cattle farm.
Inspired by my own life as a kid, helping Mom and Dad on our South Dakota cattle ranch, Rowdy pens in his journal about winter feeding, calving, grazing, haying, going to the county fair, planting, harvest, and everything in between.
Kids will get a first-hand, up-close look at what life is like living on a beef cattle farm and ranch. The story is short and sweet and is complete with a beef recipe and colorful illustrations from Weber that truly bring the book to life.
As the month marches on, now is a great time to go into a classroom and read a book to kids. Show them who we are and where our heart lies in rural America and agriculture. Connect with them on personal stories, and enjoy a day spent with little ones, who are eager and excited to learn more about agriculture.
“The Journal of Rowdy The Cow Kid” is already traveling far and wide, and I can’t wait to see the impact it has. These books were designed to be used as a resource in the classroom and as a fun story for families to enjoy, as well.
The books are available at www.amandradke.com. If you take these stories into the classroom, please share photographs and your feedback with me! I would love to see what you’re up to and how far these books travel.
Together, we can make a difference — one story at a time. Happy Agricultural Literacy Month, everybody! Let’s get reading!
