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About Us
County Impact Statements - White County
Local Youth Harvest More Than Rice
Farming Teaches Economics, Food Production, and Biology
Many youth do not have a general understanding of the importance of
agriculture. In a effort to teach fifth and sixth grade students about
agriculture, a “Rice for Kids” educational program was conducted at Riverview
Elementary in Judsonia and Bald Knob Elementary School.
Two local farmers donated one acre of their land and grew a rice crop for the
youth. The youth kept track of the costs of production and production practices.
After totaling the expenses and income from the sale of the rice produced on the
acre, the youth calculated their profit. The profit from that acre was donated
by the farmers to the class.
Participation in this project taught youth about rice production, the costs
associated with rice production, how the rice plant grows, soil science and the
importance of agriculture.
At the beginning of the program, virtually all the students thought they
could name a food product that did not originate on a farm. After participating
in “Rice For Kids” less than five percent felt they could name a “non-farm” food
item. They began to realize virtually all their food originated on a farm.
Fifth graders from Bald Knob Elementary learn about their rice
field.
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Impacts
- Over 100 students learned about the importance of agriculture.
- Teaching youth to value agriculture is a concern expressed by 90 % of
White County farmers.
- Over $500.00 was raised for the classes involved in the “Rice for Kids”
program.
- Youth learned practical applications of economics, biology,
recordkeeping, and our food production system.
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