Agriculture in Kentucky is one of the state’s leading and most vital industries, contributing about $45.6 billion to Kentucky’s economy each year. Kentucky’s 75,966 farms are constantly changing to keep up with consumer demand and the ever-growing world population.   Youth understanding the importance of Kentucky Agriculture to their everyday existence includes a basic understanding of food and fiber production, processing, and marketing products. Ag Days goals are to expose youth to the real world of agriculture and provide them with the opportunity to learn more about careers, agriculture production, and technology.  Two-hundred and seventy 4^th grade students from six local elementary schools sat in combines, tasted pumpkin pancakes, interacted with farm animals, learned about soils, crops, forestry, agriculture technology, and careers in agriculture. It was all part of Ohio County Cooperative Extension Service's 25^th annual youth agriculture field day at Luttrell Farms. Over 50 agriculture industry representatives exposed students to multiple career opportunities they could pursue as part of a career-ready field day. The students discovered there are numerous ways to 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 90% of the youth in Ohio County do not live on a farm and over 90% stated that agriculture will be less important as our population grows. In a post-survey 100% stated that Kentucky 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 have a basic understanding of the numerous careers in agriculture, not just being a farmer.”  “Students have a basic understanding of the food chain that is agriculture.”  “This educational experience will be used at our school for program review assessment and end of year testing.” “Students wrote a portfolio piece on their experience with Agriculture".  Community leader stress that "Agriculture is an important topic that should be to be taught to all students considering the importance of feeding our constantly growing population. Farm Owner stated. “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 Kentucky and across the United States.”