Ag Awareness for the Youth of White County
4-H and Youth Programming
Sherri Sanders
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
University of Arkansas Syst. Div. of Agri. Ext. Serv.
SEARCY
Abstract
For over twenty years, the White County Cooperative Extension Service, in cooperation with the White County Fair Association, hosts a free “Kid’s Day” at the fair, 8:00 a.m. to Noon on Friday of fair week. All elementary, middle school, home school students and childcare providers were invited to participate. Master Gardener volunteers and White County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee members assist with the event. Participants tour the following exhibits: Goat/Sheep barn, cattle/swine barn, ponies and miniature horse barn, Shetland pony barn, poultry and rabbit barn, and the Petting Zoo. Additionally, the Fair Board offers entertainment or an educational workshop for the children. Last years was Jon Bucher, The Magic Guy who performed at 9am, 10am and 11am in the Entertainment Tent. The Searcy Fire Department had a fire truck that the kids were allowed to get in while the firemen taught fire safety techniques including the importance of an emergency escape plan. The White County Farm Bureau Women’s committee manned a special educational station – The Dairy Cow. Students were provided an opportunity to “milk” the cow while learning about dairy foods and the dairy industry in our state. The Fair Association provides coloring sheets and stickers for each child. We had 1121 attendees this year and over 31,000 participants over the lifetime of the event. Since its introduction in 2000, all activities, educational stations and volunteers were coordinated by the agent.
Additionally, the Prairie and White County Cooperative Extension Service agents hosted an “Ag Explore: Ag Career Bootcamp” educational program in June 2021 and 2022. This program was created to bring awareness about the diverse career opportunities in agriculture in Arkansas. The students learned throughout the 3-day program that consisted of 8, on-farm tour stops, focused on the following topics: Horticulture, Row Crop, and Livestock technological careers. Agent assisted with the horticulture track both years. There were a total of 72 participants of youth and adults over the 3 days of learning. Based on an end-of-tour survey, 93% of the students increased their basic understanding of careers available in row crops, horticulture, and livestock.
Authors: Sherri Sanders
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Sherri Sanders County Extension Agent - Agriculture, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Arkansas, 72143