According to the Journal of Extension, "Agricultural literacy is important to the future of our nation and the discipline of agriculture" (Frick & Spotanski, 1990, p. 6). Because the majority of the public is now almost completely removed from agriculture in their daily lives, it is of utmost importance that best practices in agricultural education are identified to ensure agricultural literacy is maintained in future generations of Americans.”

Madison County Cooperative Extension Service recognized this issue and as a result developed and implemented the 4-H Farm Field Day to educate youth about agriculture. This field day was offered to all 3^rd grade teachers and students in Madison County with over 600 youth attending throughout the two day workshop. The CES contacted local farmers, teen 4-H members, Eastern Kentucky farm, and several other community members to come and speak for a two day field day. Students were bussed to the Madison County Fairgrounds where they participated in sixteen workshops led by Cooperative Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development, SNAP and EFNEP Assistants, Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent, Horticulture Agent and volunteers. Some of the workshops were: beef cattle, dairy cattle, chickens, goats, sheep, careers in agriculture, bees, corn and container gardening. Each student also had the opportunity to take a hay ride and participate in a farm relay. After the event, teachers were surveyed and 100% plan to return if the event is offered in the future. In follow-ups with their students, the teachers reported that 96% of the students had a better understanding of where their food comes from; 75% had a deeper appreciation for farmers after and 43% were planning to start some type of garden. The Cooperative Extension Service plans to continue to offer this program based on the positive evaluations.