Agriculture awareness and appreciation is always an important topic among farmers. An increasing percentage of the population does not have a direct connection to a farm, and they do not fully understand where their food comes from. Educating the public on the importance of farming is vital to the future of production agriculture.

The Monroe Co. Farm Bureau hosted an Ag Appreciation Day for youth. The students were brought to a local farm on school busses with their teachers. A short introduction to the importance of farming was given to the entire group by the host farmer, then a demonstration of a drone was presented to everyone. Each elementary teacher rotated their class of students among the seven learning stations. The sessions were dairy, beef, poultry, bees, equipment, swine, and goats.

All of the 4^th graders enrolled in Monroe Co. schools were eligible to attend, and 121 enjoyed the farm field day on 8-30-22. The students loved being able to pet the livestock, play on the tractors, and the drone demo! The reporting Extension agent is also the 1^st VP of the Monroe Co. Farm Bureau, and partnered with them to host the event, and taught the drone session. The Monroe Co. School system provided the transportation and a sack lunch for each child.

The students gained knowledge about the valuable contributions of farmers and farming in their lives. They obtained a greater awareness of where their food, fiber, and fuel comes from. The students were educated on the importance of a fresh, plentiful, and safe food supply.