AGventures Days: an ANR and 4H Youth Education Collaboration in Henrico County
4-H and Youth Programming
Edward Olsen
Consumer Horticulture Specialist and Extension Master Gardener Program Director
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg
Abstract
GENYOUth published findings that said youth care about both food and the environment. However, they don’t understand how these two global issues connect or the importance of agriculture to their everyday lives. Agricultural education in the classroom is one step to increase agricultural literacy of today’s youth while also helping youth struggling to understand traditional STEM concepts as it allows youth to connect knowledge and apply it to real-world situations. Henrico County, located outside Richmond, Virginia, is the sixth largest county in the state. With 74 public schools and numerous private institutions, it represents a predominantly suburban district where agricultural education is minimal. AGventure Days, a collaborative effort between Henrico 4-H and Henrico Extension Master Gardeners, aims to increase agricultural literacy through classroom lessons and hands-on projects on agricultural-related topics, including animal science and horticulture. This partnership served as a way to impact more students without overwhelming the Henrico 4-H agents with additional programming. The program's goal is to enhance agricultural literacy through varied lessons tailored to grade level, interest, and time of year. Educators who completed a survey said their students' perceptions of agriculture became more positive, they learned new concepts, and they enjoyed the learning activities presented in the lesson. The educators also felt that: the lessons/activities were hands-on and interactive, incorporated core curriculum and STEM concepts, and were appropriate for the age group. The program has been supported and expanded through grants and awards, enabling the purchase of teaching materials, consumables, and the development of educator kits. One of the most impactful revelations was how limited youths’ knowledge of agriculture was. The majority of youth didn’t know what the term meant or how it affects their daily lives. Even though most of the lessons weren’t long-term learning experiences, educators felt like the knowledge gained was significant. Youth were able to make connections to their lives and what they were learning in the classroom.
Authors: Edward Olsen, Carter Humpries
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Edward Olsen Consumer Horticulture Specialist and Extension Master Gardener Program Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 24061
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Carter Humpries Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23228