The goal of this program was to increase students’ awareness of the importance of agriculture and the role agriculture products play in their daily lives.  Notably, this was accomplished through demonstrations and hands-on activities.The program also provided teachers with an opportunity to review agriculture and environmental resource materials that can be integrated into their existing classroom curriculum.  

A five-day “Grow It, Eat It, Wear It” program at the Alexandria Fair Grounds (100 Fairground Road, Alexandria, KY 41001) began on September 24^th and ended on the 28^th.  The event was hosted by the University of Kentucky Campbell County Extension office in Alexandria, Kentucky.  The program provided opportunities for Kentucky State University’s (KSU’s) Cooperative Extension Program to collaborate with UK Cooperative Extension and build stronger relationships with students, teachers, parents, and school administrators in the northern Kentucky area.  Notably, approximately 700 5^th grade students and 30 teachers and parents participated in the agriculture education program.  

My role in the program was to educate participants specifically about the importance of aquaculture both locally, nationally, and globally.  In addition, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education was intentionally shared to the audience to help increase their awareness, interest, and knowledge of how aquaculture and aquaponics actively engages students in STEM-related areas and job pathways that could be pursued in the future.Further, teachers were educated on how to integrate ag-STEM related activities through aquaculture/aquaponics in the classroom. 

The hands-on demonstration exhibit consisted of live aquatic animals which included paddlefish, largemouth bass, Japanese Koi carp, Australian red claw crayfish, and freshwater prawns. Students and teachers discovered firsthand several types of recirculating aquaculture systems at the event and how similar systems can be integrated in the classroom while learning about each aquatic species.

The long-term outcome of the program was to get participants interested in ag-STEM related fields of study while at the same time forging relationships with teachers in the northern Kentucky area.  I also aimed to increase participants’ awareness about KSU and their ag-STEM education programs.  It is my goal that KSU can continue to build partnerships with teachers and school administrators throughout the Commonwealth.