According to YOUTH AND AGRICULTURE: KEY CHALLENGES AND CONCRETE SOLUTIONS, a coordinated response to increase youth’s access to the agricultural sector is more important than ever. Rising global population and decreasing agricultural productivity gains imply that young people must play a pivotal role in ensuring a food-secure future for themselves and for future generations.

The CES recognizes that urban youth in the community do not receive much agricultural interaction or education.  The CES 4-H Agent teamed up with the local Teen Center, which houses afterschool programs for about 30 urban youth, and recently collaborated to become an official chapter of the University of Kentucky JR. MANNRs program.  This partnership involves youth with topics and sections of agriculture they never would have experienced without this opportunity.  

Through a mentoring grant with National 4-H, the CES arranged a trip to the State Fair for the youth to experience firsthand what agriculture looks like in Kentucky. The CES planned the trip and coordinated a meeting with the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture to address our group.  The CES made sure to take the youth to Ag Land where they experienced both the 4-H and FFA fair exhibits.  The youth looked at all the booths and gained information about potential jobs.  They were highly interested in the huge combines and tractors and the technology that allows them to be autonomous.  We also went to the petting zoo where the youth were able to touch and see some farm animals for the first time.  They were educated about where their food comes from first before it hits the store shelves and freezers.  Students were engaged the whole day absorbing all the information they could.  

On the way back, we discussed the lack of minorities working some of the booths.  The CES 4-H Agent reminded them about what they learned last year at the Jr. MANNRs conference and how there are a lot of opportunities for them to find jobs in agriculture.  They were taught that day at the State Fair that agriculture is more than farming and they seemed highly interested in gaining more information on potential jobs and the College of Agriculture, specifically at the University of Kentucky.  By a show of hands, 100% learned that technology is available in types of agriculture, and 100% were excited to attend the State Fair again next year to learn more.