Agriculture Education Week, a statewide initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, and Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, was created to bridge agriculture and education. Its purpose is to help students understand where their food, fiber, and fuel come from, highlight career opportunities in agriculture, and integrate ag literacy with core academic areas such as science, math, and reading.

In Barren County, the week was observed through a series of dynamic and impactful events:

1. Poster Contest engaging students in creative expression.
2. Seed Planting in Raised Beds, giving hands-on experience with gardening.
3. Career Fair, showcasing agriculture-related professions.
4. Dairy Milking Exhibition witnessed by 800 youth.
5. Commodity Education, where 300 students learned about local ag products.

One major highlight was a collaborative effort between the Barren County Middle School Vocational Agriculture teacher and the this 4-H Agent. Together, they organized a 4-H/FFA Progressive Agriculture Safety Day to extend the learning from earlier 4th grade programming.

Supported by the Middle School Principal, the event was timed to align with Agriculture Education Week and involved planning input from both FFA and 4-H Officers. Students helped select the most relevant and meaningful topics for their peers: Reading Food Labels & Understanding Hidden Ingredients, Proper Animal and Livestock Care, ATV Safety and Stress & Suicide Prevention

The event featured four adult experts and was enhanced by 12 youth presenters, providing peer-led engagement that deeply resonated with the students. Of the 1,300 seventh and eighth grade students who participated, 98% reported they had a valuable learning experience.

Plans are already underway to expand next year’s observance and place even greater emphasis on celebrating and learning through Agriculture Education Week.