Success StoryAg Day at Area Elementary School Relays Diverse Opportunities for Career Success



Ag Day at Area Elementary School Relays Diverse Opportunities for Career Success

Author: William Crawford

Planning Unit: Hardin County CES

Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources

Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The latest US Census numbers show the number of farmers over the age of 65 is outpacing younger farmers. Almost 1.3 million farmers are now beyond retirement age, while just 300,000 farmers are under the age of 35. To help relay career opportunities and teach young people where their food, fiber and shelter products originate, an Agriculture Day was held at Lakewood Elementary School in Hardin County on March 22. Students ranging from Pre-school through 8th grade learned many facets of modern farming enterprises. Joined by twenty FFA members from Central Hardin High School, these 559 youth were exposed to livestock, agronomy, business, transportation, technology, nutrition and homesteading topics.

Partnering with multiple community stakeholders from area farms, agricultural businesses, service agencies and with the engagement of six Cooperative Extension professionals, all Lakewood students and participants in pilot Agriculture classes at West Hardin Middle participated. The Principal of Lakewood shared on Facebook "A special thanks to Mason Crawford with Kentucky State University for organizing our wonderful schedule and station map! It flowed wonderfully and our students were able to visit 18 different stations to learn about the many aspects of agriculture."

At one of these stations, I presented on Agritourism Opportunities and partnered with a volunteer from a local farm to provide Barrel Train rides to all the elementary students. Along with a KSU photo opportunity, this stop provided an interactive experience showcasing how on-farm experiences for entertainment can be big business. Along with other presenters, I was interviewed by a Hardin County Educational Community Television videographer. A feature segment, including footage of engaged youth, was aired on the local origination station. The long term impact of this event is to get local students to consider Agriculture as a career path and subsequently to combat the rising age of those engaged in farming.










Stories by William Crawford


Meat Bird Processing Workshop Supports Homesteading Movement

Meat Bird Processing Workshop Supports Homesteading Movement

about 1 months ago by William Crawford

Homesteading has been increasing in popularity since 2020. According to data from the Homesteaders o... Read More


Stories by Hardin County CES


CYFAR (Children, Youth, and Families at Risk) Grant Supports Field Trip for Youth in Hardin County-Sept. 2024

CYFAR (Children, Youth, and Families at Risk) Grant Supports Field Trip for Youth in Hardin County-Sept. 2024

about 10 days ago by Chandra DeRamus

Title:CYFAR (Children, Youth, and Families at Risk) Grant Supports Field Trip for Youth in Hardin Co... Read More


Meat Bird Processing Workshop Supports Homesteading Movement

Meat Bird Processing Workshop Supports Homesteading Movement

about 1 months ago by William Crawford

Homesteading has been increasing in popularity since 2020. According to data from the Homesteaders o... Read More