Plants are essential to the balance of nature and in people's lives. Green plants, i.e., those possessing chlorophyll, manufacture their own food and give off oxygen during photosynthesis. Plants are the ultimate source of food and metabolic energy for nearly all animals, which cannot manufacture their own food. Besides foods (e.g., grains, fruits, and vegetables), plant products vital to humans include wood and wood products, fibers, drugs, oils, latex, pigments, and resins. Coal and petroleum are fossil substances of plant origin. Thus plants provide people not only sustenance but shelter, clothing, medicines, fuels, and the raw materials from which innumerable other products are made.

Life on earth depends directly on plants. Humans like other animals cannot feed themselves. Directly or indirectly what they eat comes from the vegetal family. Plants are important because they are able to develop their own organic matter. From simple inorganic elements, they are called primary producers.

(plant: Importance of Plants | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/plant-importance-plants.html#ixzz2aXubY8RC)

Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and contributes the greatest percentage of revenue to Kentucky’s economy. As many Kentucky youth will ultimately be employed in the ANR sector, Agriculture is an important core content area for youth to engage in and experience. 

The Martin County Extension Service is well aware of the importance of educating the youth of Martin County on all different aspects of agriculture. For eight consecutive years we were able to provided plant science activities at every elementary school during Earth Week. We find this to be a good time because it lines up with what the schools are doing during this week.  During the pandemic we had to halt the program for 2 years.  However, this year we were able to go full force and provide the program for close to 800 students in all 3 Martin County Elementary Schools.  Mr. Stafford, the principal of Eden Elementary, said this is program is needed for students of all ages to help them start to understand where food comes from and and the opportunities they have to help our environment.  Eden Elementary also featured Martin County 4-H in their end of the year newsletter to highlight our Earth Week Program.

The Earth Week programs have resulted in a long term outcome. Students are now putting into practice things they have been learning for the last 8 years.  They have a greater understanding of where our foods come from and are taking this information home with them.  They are indicating that they are helping their parents with raised beds and enjoying the outcome of their hard work.   However, the impact of this program will be experienced for many years as these students continue to receive information on these essential skills.