8 best children’s books about agriculture

There’s no shortage of adorable children’s books out there, and this includes books about agriculture! Kids are never too young to learn about ag. Hearing stories about cows, farmers, tractors, and so much more can help kids grow up with an understanding of what ag is and why it’s important to their life.

Reading also exposes children to new vocabulary, helps them develop empathy, and ensures they are exposed to different lifestyles and learning about the world around them.

Let’s take a look at some of the best and most fun children’s books about agriculture!

1. Please Tip the Cows

This cute book is perfect for 4- to 10-year-olds. It tells the funny tale of milk cow Elsie and her best friend, Mert, as they conspire to sell their milk and get tipped, all while Farmer Victor tries his hardest to stop the local “cow tippers.” This book teaches kids about dairy cows and how they are cared for.

It’s a colorful and interesting book that will captivate everyone, not just the kids! There’s even a matching coloring book to keep the fun going.

2. Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm

This colorful, rhyming book is a great way for kids to see the difference between different types of farms. Friends Emma and Efram are pen pals telling each other all about the different seasons on their very different farms. Emma lives on an “outdoor farm” where her family raises crops using big machines and tools like drones. Efram helps his mom out at their “indoor farm” where they grow lettuce using aeroponics.

This is a great way for youth ages 5 to 9 to learn about different types of farms, where their food comes from, and what farms look like through the seasons. The back of the book even has some ideas of activities to take the learning to the next level.

3. My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me

This book is the moving story of a granddaughter and grandfather as they bond over her special tree. Grandpa planted a pecan tree the day his granddaughter was born, as the seasons change, they need to care for the trees in the orchard and tend to this special tree.

This beautifully illustrated book was the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s Book of the Year in 2024.

4. Levi’s Lost Calf

Children’s author and cattle rancher Amanda Radke has a bunch of awesome ag-themed children’s books. One of the most popular is Levi’s Lost Calf. This story follows young rancher Levi as he realizes that his favorite heifer calf is missing. With his horse and dog in tow, Levi searches the ranch for his calf while finding all types of animals along the way.

This books shows readers what life on a cattle ranch is like and even includes a recipe for you to try out! Radke has 10 other children’s books that teach kids more about farming and ranching.

5. A Little Dirt Never Hurt

Where does your food come from? Dirt is a big part of it! Author Emiley Saunders shares the story of their daily adventures of farm life. From preparing fields for planting to harvesting the foods we eat, moving through the seasons, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and play on a family farm. One of the best parts? The wholesome illustrations!

6. Hero for the Hungry: The Life and Work of Norman Borlaug

This book is a great story for readers ages 10 and up, and covers the story of Norman Borlaug’s life. Borlaug was born in 1914, raised on a small farm, and educated in a one-room schoolhouse. At a young age Borlaug dedicated his life’s work to ending world hunger. Using science, Borlaug developed new and improved wheat varieties (and did a lot more), while working hard to solve world hunger, eventually winning the Nobel Prize.

This inspiring story is an excellent read for anyone wanting some inspiration, or who wants to learn about agronomy, science, and new technology. There are also additional sections that cover some ag topics more in depth.

7. I Love Strawberries!

This book for young readers shows the journal entries of Jolie, a girl who loves strawberries. Through her scrapbook journal, she tells the story of convincing the “old people” (her parents) to let her grow strawberries. She creates a garden calendar, documents how strawberries grow, and learns how delicious, rewarding, and sometimes difficult it can be to grow her own food.

This book received the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Book of the Year Award in 2023 and was named one of the 50 Best Kids’ Books of All Time by Good Housekeeping.

8. The Hibernating Combine

The self-published and Kickstarter-backed book, The Hibernating Combine shares the journey of getting the combine ready for harvest, and putting it to rest before the next one. With engaging rhyme and detailed illustrations, The Hibernating Combine gives young readers a behind-the-scenes look at the important work that happens after harvest.

It will be released to the public soon, and it’s perfect for kids who love farming, big machines, and learning how things work!

Most of the books listed here (and so many more) can be found on the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s recommended ag books list. Many of these books also have lessons and educator’s guides to take learning to the next level!

There are so many other great children’s books focused on ag! Reading is extremely important for children, and they’re never too young to start hearing about agriculture, especially through fun stories.

Do you have other favorite ag-focused children’s books? Be sure to share these suggestions and more with your kids, with others who have kids, or even in a classroom!

Michelle Miller, the Farm Babe, is a farmer, public speaker, and writer who has worked for years with row crops, beef cattle, and sheep. She believes education is key in bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.

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