SAN ANGELO — For six years running, Tom Green County fourth-graders have learned the value of West Texas agriculture through the “Ag in the Classroom” program.
This year is no exception. On Sept. 15 and 16, another 1,500 fourth-graders are expected at Angelo State University’s Management Instruction and Research Center to participate in the popular activity.
Ag in the Classroom is sponsored by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and the Tom Green County Farm Bureau. It is designed to heighten the childrens’ awareness of agriculture by relating the industry to their daily lives through a series of production-oriented tour stops.
“Many town kids and even some country kids never give a thought to where their food and natural fiber clothes come from,” said Scott Durham, district Extension director. “Ag in the Classroom gives youngsters a true appreciation of West Texas agriculture and how it affects their daily lives. The program is taught through a series of stops, each dealing with a specific agricultural subject. The format is fun, interesting, and fast-paced.”
Students arrive and depart in shifts each day starting at 8:45 a.m. The program features seven different agricultural topics, many with hands-on exercises. The stops include cotton production, sheep and goat production, beef cattle, beekeeping, range resources, poultry, and entomology.
The program fits into the existing fourth grade curriculum. Texas Farm Bureau spent two years researching and developing Ag in the Classroom material. Its resource guide was written and revised by teachers and pilot-tested in schools. Since 1987, the program has reached well over 100,000 fourth graders in over half of Texas’ schools.
For further information contact: Durham at (915) 653-4576 or Chris Bubenik, Tom Green County Farm Bureau member at (915) 651-7620.
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