AgFest 2013 made its appearance in six eastern Colorado communities this spring: Rocky Ford, Lamar, Hugo, Brush, Sterling and Holyoke. Approximately 1,400 students and 80 teachers from 30 schools participated, as Colorado State University Extension agents from 14 counties traveled across the eastern plains for two weeks, presenting the fourth-annual agriculture literacy program.
Participating school teachers described the program as, "informative and engaging."
Eastern Colorado fifth graders explored a variety of topics such as embryology, power and simple tools, range management, GPS, microbes, dairy/butter-making, groundwater, honeybees/pollination, plant science, and basic Colorado agriculture.
AgFest was more than just a day away from school as students transitioned between each station. The educational content delivered during each 20-minute session was developed in alignment with Colorado Academic Standards to reinforce classroom learning in a hands-on environment.
"I believe it [the AgFest program] covers very important science topics. It supports the curriculum taught in my science classroom," a participating teacher noted.
While the program's primary focus was to educate students about science and agriculture, the set-up and structure of the program created a positive and friendly learning environment for students to make real-world connections between simple daily activities and agriculture.
Another teacher commented, "The program made ag more real to the students' everyday life."
Organizers of the program agreed that often times more than just the students learn something new.
"The long-term effects of AgFest are with the teachers because they also learn," said Mick Livingston, Kit Carson County Extension agent and AgFest team leader. "The teachers are able to pass the agriculture knowledge on to the students in their classroom in future years."
The main idea behind the AgFest program is to teach all participants — youth and adults alike.
Sponsorships and support from community partners and organizations have made it possible for Extension staff to lengthen the duration of the entire program and reach out to an increasing number of schools. In a four-year period, the AgFest program has educated more than 4,000 students in eastern Colorado.
Major sponsors for AgFest 2013 include Colorado Corn, Colorado Wheat, Roger Koberstein, and 21st Century Equipment. Contributing Sponsors include Jack's Bean Company, Jake's Feed LLC, and Points West Community Bank.
Pipe and drape donations were made by Stratton Equity CO-OP, Fontanelle Seed Corporation and Colorado Conservation Tillage Association. The Colorado 4-H Foundation also provided a 5,000 dollar grant to purchase and equip a trailer to store and transport the pipe and drape supplies.