Back to School Means New Clothes — And a Story of Agriculture

For many families, the back-to-school season is marked by sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks, and of course — new clothes. But behind every cozy sweater, pair of jeans, or cotton t-shirt is a story rooted in agriculture.

From Field to Fabric

Most of the fibers that make our clothing come directly from farms and ranches. Cotton, grown in fields across the globe, is spun into soft, breathable fabrics perfect for t-shirts and jeans. Wool comes from sheep, alpacas, and llamas, whose fleeces are carefully shorn each year and transformed into warm sweaters, socks, and coats. Even flax, grown as a crop, becomes linen — a cool, durable fiber often used in summer clothes.

Agriculture’s Hidden Fibers

Agriculture also contributes to fabrics in less obvious ways. Leather, used in shoes, belts, and backpacks, comes from cattle ranching. Silk threads are spun by silkworms raised by farmers. Even synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon are connected to agriculture — their production often uses byproducts from crops like corn or oilseeds.

Back-To-School: Teaching the Connection

The back-to-school wardrobe is more than a shopping trip — it’s a chance to spark curiosity about where things come from. Teachers and parents can use clothing as an entry point to explore agriculture, global trade, and sustainability. For example:

• How many types of natural fibers are represented in your closet?

• What agricultural processes are needed to grow, harvest, and prepare fibers for clothing?

• How do farmers around the world contribute to what we wear every day?

Why It Matters

By helping students see the connection between fashion and farming, we move beyond the idea that agriculture is only about food. Agriculture shapes our daily lives in countless ways — including the very clothes we wear to school.

So this back-to-school season, when students slip on their new sweaters or lace up their shoes, remind them: agriculture is woven into it all.

👉 Teacher Tip: Encourage students to check the tags on their clothing and research where the fibers come from. It’s a simple, hands-on activity that links agriculture to identity, geography, and science.