Area fifth-graders experience ag

RANDOLPH – More than 200 fifth graders from six schools in Northeast Nebraska explored the many aspects of agriculture during the ninth annual Growing Potential Agriculture Festival in Randolph Sept 5.

From corn to cows and everything in between, students interacted with producers to learn about where their food, fiber, and energy comes from. The annual festival is hosted by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and the Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers to promote agricultural literacy.

Taylor Nelson, vice president of the Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers, helped lead the charge to organize the event, stressing the importance of exposing kids to agriculture.

“The Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation partnered together to give kids a hands-on experience in all different facets of agriculture. We want to give students a new perspective on agriculture that they might not otherwise get not being from a family farm themselves,” Nelson said.

Students rotated through nine stations throughout the day, exploring multiple facets of agriculture and various opportunities within the industry.

Teachers were excited to have their students learn as they experienced agriculture hands-on.

Schools from across Northeast Nebraska attended the event including Randolph Elementary, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Middle School, Wayne Elementary, Holy Trinity Elementary in Hartington, Wisner-Pilger Elementary, and Wakefield Community Schools.

The surrounding community sees great value in students engaging with agriculture.

In addition to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers hosting the event, several companies also sponsored the festival. Axis, Dekalb, Allegiant, Pioneer, Channel, Hoegemeyer, Hefty, Golden Harvest, Dynagro, Brevant, Croplan, Michael Wagner Implement, Siouxland Ethanol, Keiser Ag, Grossenburg Implement, Rastede drone service, Hokamp Farms, and Logan Owens. served as sponsors for the event, ensuring it was free for all students to attend.

The mission of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is to engage youth, educators, and the general public to promote an understanding of the vital importance of agriculture in the lives of all Nebraskans.

For more information about the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, visit www.nefbfoundation.org.