Youth understanding the importance of American Agriculture to our everyday existence includes an appreciation of agriculture’s history and current economic, social and environmental significance to all Americans. This understanding includes knowledge of food and fiber production, processing, and marketing products. The goal for the youth field day was to expose our youth to the real world of agriculture and provide them with the opportunity to learn more about careers, agriculture production, technology, and research.
Three hundred-five fourth grade students from six local elementary schools sat in combines, interacted with farm animals, learned about soils, crops, agriculture technology, and careers in agriculture and related fields. It was all part of Ohio County Cooperative Extension Service's 22^nd annual youth agriculture field day at Luttrell Farms. Over 50 agriculture industry presenters at the field day exposed students to the multiple career opportunities they could pursue in agriculture. The students discovered there are lots of ways to practice and become involved with today's agriculture community through nutrition, education, business, research, technology, conservation and many more career paths. The backbone of today’s agriculture is science, technology and business. Pre-Survey indicated that 85% of the youth in Ohio County do not live on a farm. In a pre-survey, 81% of the youth did not understand that agriculture touches their lives every day with food and other farm commodities and over 90% stated that agriculture will be less important as our population grows. In a post-survey 100% stated that Agriculture touches their lives every day and 95% now feel that agriculture will be increasingly important as our country’s population grows. In response to the survey question, "I understand that the end product of agriculture is the production of food and fiber." 100% of the students agreed. Fourth grade teachers - "My students better understand the importance of agriculture.” . “My students have a basic understanding that agriculture is the foundation of our food supply.” “This educational experience has been used at our school for program review assessment at the end of the year.” “Students chose a career in agriculture and wrote a portfolio piece on the experience"-4th grade Teacher. Community leader -  "Agriculture is an important a topic that should be to be taught all students considering the importance of feeding our constantly growing population. Elected Leader. The backbone of today’s agriculture is science, technology and business. Informed citizens will be able to participate in establishing the policies that will support a competitive agricultural industry in this country and abroad.