In a time where the general public is becoming more and more unaware of where their food comes from and much less the processes of agriculture production, an advocacy for agriculture is needed. Gilkison Farms, the Clark County Cooperative Extension, and many other community partners are leading the charge for that advocacy by hosting the Clark County Youth Ag Day Program.

The Youth Ag Day is actually a two day event that has been taking place at Gilkison Farms for the last several years. The goal of the program is to raise awareness of agriculture, in Clark County youth. To be specific, these youth consist of 395 Clark County third graders, many of who have never been on a farm before in their life.

Once the students are at the farm, they are placed into traveling groups and rotate between education stations, including but not limited to; cattle, horses, pigs, poultry, horticulture, grain crops, goats, and sheep. At each station the youth learn about a specific topic before traveling to the next station. I have taught at both the pig, and grain crop station over the years and the interaction with the youth attending is priceless. It is evident that learning is taking place! This year I spoke with a first time attending teacher that stated “I usually dread field trips, but I have been really surprised with this day, and I can’t wait to come back next year!”

Not only is this a outstanding day for our Clark County youth, but it also serves as a chance for the Clark County agriculture community to work together on a common goal that leads to additional networking and other community projects. The Clark County Youth Ag Day is a win-win for everyone!