Learning About Agriculture | Video

Rene Thibault | 1/24/2013

The KMOT Ag Expo isn`t just for adults, kids can learn a thing or two about life on the farm as well. Local fourth graders are learning that the food they eat doesn`t just come from the grocery store down the street. It comes from a farm or a ranch.

“Many kids don`t grow up on the farm anymore. So they don`t understand where their food comes from and how it’s produced and just little things about agriculture. So it’s real important that they get to see what agriculture is all about,” said Gail Slinde, a Ward County 4H Agent.

For 18 years, the Ag Expo has hosted the Living Ag Classroom to educate fourth grade students from all across north-central North Dakota. “We really needed to do something for the children in agriculture because so many of them now no longer have any connection to the farm,” added coordinator and presenter Margie Martin Lee.

Fourth graders like Carter Gill are learning about different aspects of agriculture from soil erosion and farm safety, to the anatomy of cattle and pigs. “A lot of the kids in North Dakota are into agriculture, a lot of their families and friends, so some kids get to learn a lot, learn how to work with the livestock and the equipment,” said Gill.

More than 800 fourth graders visited the 12 booths at this year`s Living Ag Classroom. It`s not just the students having a good time.

“It`s really fun when you look at the faces of some of these fourth graders. What they`re learning. What they`re absorbing. They get these ‘Oh Wow!’ moments every once in a while,” said Martin Lee.

“I think it`s been awesome. The kids get really excited. Learning about agriculture is real important and this gives the kids exposure to all kinds of ag related issues, ideas and foods,” added Slinde.

These teachers and presenters hope every student leaves with a new understanding for agriculture like Gill. “We should all be aware of erosion of the land and how important agriculture is around the world.”

“Agriculture is still number one and we just need our future leaders to know about the importance of agriculture in our state,” stated Martin Lee.

Friday is the final day of the 42nd annual KMOT Ag Expo. Be sure to head over to the state fair center tomorrow between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

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