Ag Week Baby Bundles

One way I'm celebrating National Ag Week this year, is reaching out to the next generation to share about our farm, through donating Ag Baby Bundles to all the new babies born this week at my local hospital.

For a few years I've had an idea of doing something special for all the new babies born during National Ag Week, and thanks to several friends believing in my idea too, it finally became a reality this year.  I love being a Mom to my four little ones and I love being the 5th generation in my family to farm, so this service project brought both of these realms of my world together.

At the beginning of the year I called our regional hospital, MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, that serves several counties throughout North Iowa (and where all of my babies were born), to find out if this idea was even a possibility.  They were very open and excited for the idea and let me know that they were expecting 20 babies to be born during this week.

My family and I delivery the Ag Week Baby Bundles off at the
MercyOne North Iowa Birth Center yesterday for the start of Ag Week

To get started filling the baby bundles, I had to find something to put everything in.  One of my friends is a Thirty-One consultant so I teamed up with her to have people sponsor Double Duty Cadddies for the base of the bundle.  I chose these because they were on special in January, plus, they are the perfect size for a little tote for in a nursery.  There are two open sides and mesh pockets on the ends.

Next it was time to fill up the caddies.  I knew I had to include a book or two in each bundle because reading is very important to my family and I.  I asked for suggestions of farm board books from friends and ended up getting connected with the author, Amy Parker.  She kindly donated several copies of two of her books, "Night Night, Farm" and "Night Night, Sleepy Town".  I also filled the bundles with favorites such as "Big Red Barn", "Little Blue Truck", "Sheep in a Jeep" and others.

Part of the Ag Week Baby Bundles filled and ready for delivery

I also knew I wanted to include corn teethers from John Deere (which were a favorite of my kids) and a tractor or farm animal toy in each bundle.  Friends also donated flannel napkins, bibs, blankets and pacifier cords to include.  Each bin is a little unique and I hope that the new baby and their family get some use out of everything that is included.

What should I include in next year's Ag Week Baby Bundles?  What are some of your favorite farm board books?  I had a lot of fun putting them together for this year and plan on doing it again.