Engaging youth in Ag County farm bureau successes

By Farms.com

The spotlight on county Farm Bureaus' efforts to educate and engage the youth with the agricultural sector has never been brighter, thanks to the American Farm Bureau Federation's County Activities of Excellence Awards. These awards commend counties for their creative and volunteer-led endeavors in agricultural education and promotion. 

Coles County Farm Bureau in Illinois made agriculture tangible for children through the "Touch-A-Truck & Tractor" event, offering an up-close look at farm and construction machinery and an engaging "Guess the Grain" activity to link crops to their end products. 

"Farmer for a Day" by Van Buren County Farm Bureau in Michigan offered an immersive educational experience across five different stations, teaching students about the breadth of agricultural practices and generating significant community and educational engagement. 

Shelby County Farm Bureau in Illinois took a different approach with "Sow and Tell," effectively bridging farming families with classrooms through a pen-pal-like program, fostering understanding and curiosity about food sources and farming life. 

To enhance agricultural literacy, Meeker County Farm Bureau in Minnesota paired the joy of reading with the experience of tasting, through a live reading event focused on strawberry farming, thereby enriching first graders' understanding of where their food comes from. 

Muskingum County Farm Bureau in Ohio focused on future agriculturalists by repurposing a building at the county fair to highlight careers in agriculture, reaching over 1,500 individuals with information on the diverse opportunities within the industry. 

Displayed at the 2024 American Farm Bureau Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, these programs exemplify the innovative strategies county Farm Bureaus are employing to ensure the next generation is informed, interested, and involved in agriculture, thereby securing the future of farming and food production.