Willie B. takes center stage for All in for Ag Education Week

More than 700 Kentucky elementary schools to receive farm safety book, classroom materials

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 9, 2026) – A dog and his farm adventures will help teach Kentucky students about agriculture and farm safety during this fall’s All in for Ag Education Week, set for Sept. 21-25.

More than 700 public elementary schools across the Commonwealth will receive a copy of "Farm Adventures with Willie B.", along with a Willie B. stuffed dog and standards-based literacy lessons for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Through Willie B.’s farm adventures, students are encouraged to think critically about making wise decisions while learning about Kentucky agriculture.

“There may not be a better way to get a child’s attention than with a good dog and a good story,” Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “Willie B.’s farm adventures can teach students more about Kentucky agriculture and, just as importantly, how to stay safe around the farm.”

In real life, Willie B., an Australian Cattle dog, is the mascot for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) Raising Hope Program, which is a part of the Farm Safety and Rural Health Division that focuses on farm safety, farmer's health, and farm rescue.

Willie B. first became part of Raising Hope through the late Dale Dobson, director of KDA’s Farm Safety and Rural Health Division. Dobson often brought Willie B. with him to Raising Hope events, where the dog quickly became a favorite among farmers, families, and children. That popularity eventually earned Willie B. an unofficial role with KDA and a permanent place on the Raising Hope team.

Dobson, who passed away in July, was nationally recognized for his work in farm safety, health, and rescue. He helped build KDA’s farm safety program and spent decades working to protect Kentucky farmers and farm families. His likeness is featured in the book as “Farmer Dale,” allowing his legacy to continue reaching a new generation.

Farm safety will be the central theme of this year’s All in for Ag Education Week. The dates coincide with National Farm Safety and Health Week, giving educators an opportunity to connect agriculture education with lessons that can help keep students and farm families safe.

All in for Ag Education Week is a collaborative effort among Commissioner Shell, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, and Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher to expand access to agricultural education across the Commonwealth.

Written by Murray State University agriculture professor Brian Hoover and agronomist Emily Schell, and illustrated by Ashley Schell Fowler, "Farm Adventures with Willie B." follows Willie B. and Farmer Dale through a day on the farm. Along the way, Willie B. helps teach his friends how to stay safe while Farmer Dale tackles chores, goes fishing, and even enjoys a picnic.

“I have enjoyed seeing this project grow from an idea into a finished product with such a meaningful purpose,” Hoover said. “This book is a simple story presented in a simple way with a potential lifesaving and life-changing impact. The safety message and learning opportunities provided by Willie B. carry forward the work and legacy of Dale Dobson and his team to promote safer and healthier agricultural communities.”

"As an agronomist, agriculture safety is something that is very important to me,” Schell said. "This book began as a school project with Dr. Hoover and has turned into so much more. Working with everyone on this project and seeing it become something that children can learn from is absolutely incredible and I can't wait to see where Willie B. goes next!"

“Creating the illustrations alongside a group of individuals who are deeply knowledgeable and passionate about agriculture and agricultural safety has been such a rewarding experience,” Fowler said. “Utilizing my skills to support agricultural safety is so important to me, as somebody who grew up in and around farms in rural Kentucky.”

The book and accompanying classroom materials are made possible through a partnership among the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Raising Hope, and Farm Credit Mid-America.

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