By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Over 150 fourth-grade students in Deaf Smith County learned more about agriculture at a recent Ag Day hosted by Deaf Smith County Farm Bureau.
“Last year, we didn’t get to have our Ag Day, because a lot of the schools were closed due to COVID,” Landon Friemel, Deaf Smith County Farm Bureau president, said. “It was great to get students out for this event and for them to interact with local farmers and ranchers.”
Texas Farm Bureau’s mobile learning barn helped students better understand how the products they see on grocery store shelves get their start on Texas farms and ranches.
“It’s really exciting to watch those kids learn about agriculture. The kids asked a lot of good questions and were able to really understand and learn more about farming and ranching,” Friemel said. “I think it’s important for everybody to know where their food comes from, to truly learn about it from the people who are producing and raising the food and fiber that this country survives on.”
Cargill beef packers and Xcel Energy gave presentations to show how the companies play a role in agriculture.
“In the Texas Panhandle, many of these families are impacted by agriculture, even if they’re not directly involved in growing our food and fiber,” he said. “This area is heavily dependent on agriculture for spending at local businesses, and there are many stores and companies that are built here because of our large agricultural community.”
Throughout the Ag Day, elementary students were able to interact with FFA and 4-H members who brought their livestock projects to the event.
“The kids were able to interact with them and ask questions about what they do with the show animals,” he said. “I think it’s really important that we teach our younger generation the importance of agriculture and give them learning opportunities like this.”
The event wrapped up with a milking demonstration from Southwest Dairy Farmers mobile milking barn and a discussion about the Texas dairy industry.
Deaf Smith County Farm Bureau also co-hosted the Producer’s Ag Summit with Randall County Farm Bureau to provide educational information for farmers and ranchers in the area.