Author: Amanda Wilson
Planning Unit: McCracken County CES
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Plan of Work: Increasing Agriculture Awareness
Outcome: Initial Outcome
There’s been a deficit amongst the Paducah City Schools due to a limited amount of exposure to the field of Agriculture, outside of Cooperative Extension. The thought came to mind that we, McCracken County Cooperative Extension (MCCE), should fill this gap, and hold an Ag Day for Paducah City Schools. This idea took several years to materialize, but I’m proud to say our dream came true. All program areas of MCCE collaborated to deliver a high quality, hands on agricultural experience to three-hundred youth. Children expressed how they’d never seen farm animals up close and personal. Others were floored at the fact that they were able to catch grasshoppers with sweep nets. To watch as the children’s eyes grew wide as they climbed upon a gigantic fertilizer spreader that cost $550,000!!! I asked one boy how much her thought the Fertilizer Spreader cost, and his response was “$1,000”. Other educational stops were electricity in agriculture, and Barnyard Buddies. Children were able to pet and feed live animals. This was a very unique experience for majority of them. And let’s not forget the milking goat! Youth were able to milk our milking goat simulator. This provided an opportunity for me to be able to share the cost and value of farming equipment. This event also allowed forty-six adult volunteers to be able to interact with youth they may not otherwise be able to interact with. One volunteer made mention of how well-behaved the children were. It afford an opportunity to strengthen the adult and youth partnerships. Other hands-on booths such as equine and nutrition were a huge hit. Participants learned what Agriculture is all about, and how our food is produced. It is my desire that this become an annual event.
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