By Emmy Powell
Communication Specialist

Students and teachers experienced agriculture firsthand at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo through Texas Farm Bureau’s Doorways to Agriculture exhibit.

The annual school tours brought 5,149 students through the exhibit during the show’s three-week run.

“Doorways to Agriculture helps students understand where food comes from, how it gets to the table and the stories and faces behind it,” said Aubrey Schlimgen, Tarleton State University Collegiate Farm Bureau vice president and Doorways to Agriculture intern.

Doorways to Agriculture brings learning to life with touchscreen kiosks, oversized interactive “books” and a theater featuring videos of Texas farmers and ranchers.

Inside the walk-through trailer, hands-on displays and games invite kids and adults to explore how food and fiber are produced.

A miniature cotton gin model gives visitors a close-up look at how cotton is processed.

“The tours help connect with the youth of today,” Schlimgen said.

Many students are several generations removed from agriculture, but a tour through Doorways to Agriculture and a trip to the stock show helps them see how everyday items begin on a farm.

The exhibit also helps teachers gain a better understanding of agriculture.

“Connecting with teachers is so important,” Schlimgen told the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “Educators are the people who bridge the gap from the classroom to the real world. Through Doorways to Agriculture, educators are encouraged to grow agricultural literacy in their classrooms.”

The exhibit was on display in Fort Worth from Jan. 16 to Feb. 7.

Winter Storm Fern hit Fort Worth on Jan. 24, bringing icy weather and hazardous road conditions that forced some school tours to cancel. Many schools rescheduled, ensuring students still had the opportunity to learn more about agriculture through Doorways to Agriculture.

The exhibit will be on display at the San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo Austin.

Click here to learn more about Doorways to Agriculture.

TFB opens doors to agriculture at Fort Worth Stock Show Students and teachers experienced agriculture at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and learned through Texas Farm Bureau’s Doorways to Agriculture exhibit.