About Us
County Impact Statements - Polk County
Teachers and Students get a Dose of "Agri Awareness"
One of the biggest concerns identified by members of the Agriculture
Community is the lack of knowledge by the general public about the source of our
food supply. Families are becoming more and more removed from the farm. Busy
lifestyles leave little time to contemplate the issue and many times food and
its availability is just taken for granted.
In an effort to address this concern, the Extension Service
started a countywide campaign to provide knowledge to all elementary level
students and teachers. Working with other agriculture agencies and interest
groups, an "Ag in the Classroom" Committee was formed and started work.
Curriculum was developed or identified to reach each elementary classroom in the
County. Volunteers were identified and then trained to reach the masses.
Classrooms were divided by commodity so that all phases of common agriculture
could be reached with students in the next six years. Kindergarten classes
learned about poultry and eggs. First graders learned about clothing and fibers.
Second grade students learned about beef cattle while third graders learned
about the dairy industry. Fourth graders learned about the swine industry. Fifth
graders learned about cereal grains and sixth graders learned about forestry.
Volunteers went into each classroom for one class period to
reach the students. Elementary teachers were given "Ag in the Classroom"
notebooks with lesson plans and ideas for teaching about agriculture.
After a week of classroom work, all K-6 students and teachers were invited to
a day long Ag Awareness Field Day at the County Fairgrounds. Students were
involved in hands-on projects that emphasized what they had learned in the
classroom.
County Agent Carla Vaught teaches elementary students about the
impact of fire ants on Polk County farms.
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Impacts
- 2000 students reached in 2000 and 2001 with agriculture programs.
- 25% increase in knowledge about agriculture commodities.
- Great relationship developed between teachers and volunteer teachers.
- Spirit of teamwork developed among volunteers from different agencies.
- Developed a more confident volunteer force to speak up on behalf of
Agriculture.
- Allowed volunteers to go into the classroom to experience student/teacher
relationship.
- Excited the community into celebrating National Agriculture Week.
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