By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Livestock, farm equipment and wildlife were just a few of the agricultural topics Haskell County fourth graders learned about during a recent Ag Day.
The event was hosted by Haskell County Farm Bureau.
“This event is important, even in a rural area,” Ryder Cude, Haskell County Farm Bureau president, said. “It’s important for students to learn about how agriculture affects them and how nearly everything they use ties back to agriculture.”
During the event, students rotated through several stations that showcased different aspects of agriculture.
At the farm equipment station, they had a chance to see machinery up close and learn how it’s used to grow and harvest cotton, which is a major crop in Haskell County. Farm Bureau leaders also highlighted the advanced technology in farm equipment and stressed the importance of safety around the large machines.
FFA members brought cattle, sheep and goats to the event. The young students were able to ask questions about raising livestock and interact with the animals.
The local 4-H Club brought some flavor to the event with a butter-making demonstration, and the interactive Texas Farm Bureau Ag on the Go trailer showcased corn production in Texas.
“We wanted the kids to know that what they see in the fields around here eventually makes its way to the grocery store for them to buy in different products,” Cude said. “The things we use every day get their start on farms and ranches like those right here in Haskell County.”
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension presented a honeybee demonstration, and a game warden covered wildlife topics.
A crowd favorite was the station with a cowboy and horse.
“There are a lot of cowboys around here,” Cude said. “He talked about what his job is like caring for cattle and how he uses his horse to help do that.”
The Southwest Dairy Farmers brought the mobile dairy classroom for students to learn about dairy cows. The trailer includes a traveling milking parlor that features a live cow and a presentation.
Haskell County Farm Bureau has hosted the annual Ag Day for fourth graders over the last several decades.
The event was organized in collaboration with local farmers, ranchers and agricultural groups, with the goal of fostering a deeper understanding of agriculture among the next generation.
“Farm Bureau believes it’s extremely important to teach the next generation about where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture,” Cude said.
For more information about other educational resources for classroom activities, visit texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.
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