In Pennsylvania, urban students from across the state got up close and personal with their state’s agriculture industry. Over 1,500 students recently experienced Farm City Day at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, where they were able to get out of the classroom to have a hands-on experience with agriculture.
The students were able to touch, see, smell, and hear what farm life is like on a daily basis. Many of the students had never touched a farm animal before. The teachers were able to use the day as a learning experience. Students learned about careers ranging from aquaponics to veterinary science. Hopefully the teachers are able to incorporate more agriculture into their daily lessons.
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education launched the Planting the Seed initiative, which aims to engage and educate the next generation about the many education and career opportunities available in Pennsylvania agriculture. This year the departments of Agriculture and Education also created the Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence, a commission charged with assisting in the development of a statewide plan for agricultural education.
“When these students finish school, Pennsylvania will have more than 75,000 jobs waiting for them in agriculture and the food industry,” said state Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding. “One of the Wolf administration’s goals is to introduce students early in their education to the wide range of career opportunities in agriculture. Farm City Day is an important opportunity to stimulate students’ imaginations and broaden their sense of possibility for how their classroom lessons in science, technology, engineering and math can translate into real-world work in settings that appeal to them.”
