Colorado State University Extension hosts AgFest 2014

More than ever, American children are confused about from where it is that their food comes as well as the significant role agriculture plays in their lives. For example, some children believe that the food they eat at each meal such as milk, eggs, meat, and vegetables come from the grocery store without any idea of the important role agriculture plays in bringing these products to the grocery store. Furthermore, children do not realize that by simply eating each day immerses them in agriculture, which accentuates a major educational need in today’s society. Therefore, the AgFest programming that is provided by Colorado State University Extension agents has developed an interactive and unique educational science experience to help 5th and 6th grade students explore and discover the science that is found in every day food production.

2014 marks the fifth year that Colorado State University Extension has brought AgFest to communities along Colorado’s eastern plains such as Hugo, Lamar, La Junta, Trinidad, Fort Morgan, Holyoke, and Sterling. The AgFest program is helping build a strong relationship between the schools in these communities and Colorado State University Extension that brings Extension programming regarding the importance of agricultural food production into the schools and enriches the youths’ learning experience. During the two week period between April 14 and April 24, 2014, 1673 students as well as several educators are provided a hands-on learning experience that explores science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in various scientific aspects of agriculture and food production through ten stations that demonstrate aspects of Global Positioning Satellites, Embryology, Groundwater Quality, Microbes and Bacteria (Bio-Security), Plant Science and Biotechnology, Honey Bees and Pollination, Simple Tools and Leverage Application, Range and Land, Ecology, Colorado Agriculture Products, and Dairy Production.

Students were challenged in the Simple Tools and Leverage Application station to use math to determine the pulleys and levers needed to make lifting 50 pound weights possible. Additionally, they were able to witness chicks hatching in incubators in the embryology educational station, plus they were able to observe growing chicks and identify the parts of an egg. In the Plant Science and Biotechnology station, students learned the differences between grasses and other plants, plus they were able to eat popcorn. The Dairy Production station provided each student with information regarding the various dairy products made from milk and each student was able to make butter during each session. According to one teacher, “This is great. Thanks for doing this. I don’t have the funding, the time, or the technical expertise to do this for my students.” Ultimately, the students left AgFest with a new awareness of and excitement for science and agriculture as well as a better understand of where it is their food comes.

If you are interested in finding out more information or to sign up your school for AgFest 2015, please contact your local Colorado State University Extension Office or Mick Livingston at mick.livingston@colostate.edu or 719-346-5571.