Published: November 19, 2008 06:16 pm            

JISD students get a lesson in agriculture

By Kelly Young

kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com

Agriculture makes the world go ’round; it provides the food we eat and the clothing we wear. About 375 Jacksonville fourth-graders spent last Monday learning that lesson as they took part in the Cherokee County Farm Bureau’s Fall Ag Day.

Nikki Penn, the bureau’s county secretary, said the event was a success despite being forced to change venues at the last minute due to rainy weather.

“We were going to have it at the Forest Service, but the rain made us move it over to the Expo Center. Moving to the show barn we were still able to do almost everything we had planned for the day,” Penn said. “The Forestry Service had two booths; one of them was showing the equipment used to fight forest fires, and the other booth talked about wood and the many products that we use everyday that are derived from wood.”

Numerous booths and exhibits were prepared for the children, illustrating the many, many uses of agriculture. Game Warden Brian Bearden talked about poaching and showed the students animals seized from violators. Aaron Sanders of Southwest Diary Farmers presented a mobile milking parlor with a live demonstration. Joe Daniel and the Master Gardener’s group also spoke to the students about plants and landscaping.

“We also had the county extension agents up there, and they showed the kids some of the things that are available through the extension office and 4-H. Agent Rene McCracken brought some of her goats up and talked to the kids about what animals eat and about what parts of the animals we consume,” Penn said.

The Farm Bureau tries to hold Ag Days twice a year — once in the spring and once in the fall — but this year’s spring event was canceled due to heavy rains. Penn said students from other school districts, including Rusk and Wells, have participated in the day in the past. She expects the next Ag Day is take place in early May.

According to Penn, the purpose of the event is to introduce children to agriculture and to help prepare those who may turn to the field for their vocation.

“So many kids will walk into the grocery store and get milk off the shelf without stopping to think where it comes from. We try to make them more aware of things like that. I think less than 2 percent of the population is involved in the agriculture field, and yet everyone’s life is impacted by it,” she said. “The kids absolutely love it when we do this; they really get into it. And hopefully it broadens their awareness as well.”

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.