By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

More than 750 fourth-grade students from across Medina County learned about agriculture and natural resources during the annual Medina Ag Fair.

The event, hosted by Medina County Farm Bureau, included interactive agricultural education stations and demonstrations for students from public schools, private schools and homeschool co-ops.

“For many students, this may be one of the few opportunities they have to see agriculture up close,” said Kason Haby, Medina County Farm Bureau board member and Youth Activities chair.  “It’s important students know where their food and fiber come from and that agriculture touches everyone every day.”

Students rotated through 18 stations throughout the event to learn about a variety of agricultural topics.

The Texas Farm Bureau mobile learning barn gave students an inside look at cotton, grain and beef production, while other stations highlighted dairy cattle, bees, wildlife, water conservation and farm equipment.

Representatives from organizations across the county partnered to make the event possible, including 4-H, FFA, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Wildlife Association, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Medina Electric Cooperative.

Students also learned about electrical safety, water pollution prevention and wildlife conservation. Local farmers, ranchers and Medina County Farm Bureau board members led many of the educational stations.

One highlight of the day was a live raptor demonstration presented by Last Chance Forever, where students learned about hawks and eagles up close.

Haby said the Medina Ag Fair helps bridge the gap between consumers and agriculture, especially for students who have little exposure to farming and ranching.

“If we can engage them on agricultural topics, at least they’ll know where their food comes from,” Haby said. “And maybe some of them will develop a passion for agriculture and pursue something in that field later on.”

The Ag Fair primarily serves fourth-grade students and continues to provide Medina County youth with opportunities to better understand the role of agriculture in their lives.

The county has been hosting the Medina Ag Fair since 1988.