Grayson County Extension Services’ annual Family Farm Fest has quickly become a family favorite for Fall activities in the Grayson County community. In an effort to promote the Grayson County Extension Service, the County Extension Council, along with agents from all program areas, planned and implemented our third annual Extension Family Farm Fest. The purpose of this event is to provide families with a fun, local agriculture experience, promote Extension Programs in the county along with local businesses and non-profits, and to encourage building family relationships and traditions.

Three years ago, the Cooperative Extension agents realized that there is little offered in Grayson County for families to do during the fall season that are agriculture related. For example, picking pumpkins and visiting live farm animals is a common activity for families to partake in during the fall months. For families to have this experience, they must drive 30-45 miles and pay a fee for their family to enjoy such time together. The idea was for this event to become a tradition that provided outreach and education to those that typically wouldn’t get to experience an event outside of the county.

For our third event, the County Extension Council Committee helped in recruiting 16 local businesses, non-profits and farmers to participate. Seven more organizations donated items for hourly door prize drawings. All program area interests were represented. Two local farmers were involved in the program specifically with the program. One farm family donated the pumpkins for the kids to paint, and the other brought sheep for kids to see. The local Grayson County Cattlemen’s Association volunteered to cook the food for the event, so 10 or more beef farmers were there to volunteer time to the event. Families could look at farm equipment while attending as well. One new event for this year was the electrical safety demonstration conducted by Warren RECC. They showed families how important it is to stay away from downed power lines and how to stay safe in those emergency situations. Taking Kids Outdoors also had a BB gun shooting range available for children to learn outdoor and gun safety. Family and Consumer Sciences had family friendly games that could be re-created at home for little to no cost and local representatives for families such as the Grayson County HeadStart Program and the local Library. 4-H Youth Development had clubs represented and assisted with kid friendly activities, such as pumpkin picking and painting; All Extension Programs were represented (Master Gardeners, Homemakers, Beekeepers, and Cattlemen’s and reported 17 individuals expressing interest in the Master Gardener Program.

The first Extension Family Farm Fest was met with about 100 participants and it’s grown to more than 500 in 2017. Families are making this a part of their yearly outings. Participants were able to enjoy farm friendly, educational atmosphere all while having fun. This continues to be a huge marketing success for the Grayson County Extension Service.