Texas Agrilife Ag Awareness Day!

What is a photochemical?

Is a coffee bean a seed?

Do large fish produce fewer offspring than small fish?

More than 200 of Leon Counties fourth graders, educators, and community
members heard the answers (given below) to these and other
thought-provoking questions at the first annual Agricultural Awareness
Day, held at Fort Boggy State Park on May 5, 2008. The Awareness Day
festivities, which included displays and interactive presentations by
more than 10 businesses, non-profit organizations, and government
agencies from throughout the state, gave the students a greater
understanding of Texas agriculture and the environment.

The true value of Ag Awareness Day, however, extends beyond the
learning of scientific facts. By exposing young people to important
issues involving agriculture, land use, and natural resources, and by
showing them the diverse job opportunities available in these fields,
the event helped our youth become better stewards of Leon County’s
resources and raises their awareness of the many careers they can
pursue
in agriculture and environmental science. This type of experience is
particularly important during the grade-school years, as children form
opinions about the place where they live and their role in the world.
Tracing the path that our food takes from farm to table helps young
students connect to the land in a meaningful, memorable way.

Leon County's Agricultural Awareness Day represents a partnership
between Texas Agrilife Extension Service, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas
Master Gardeners, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Parks and
Wildlife, NRCS, state and local government, J -5 Tractors, and the
agricultural community.

Pic 1
Richard Johnson of J-5 Tractors in Normangee demonstrates the use of a
tractor to the Leon County fourth grade students.








Pic 2
Charlie Patin, Texas Agrilife Extension Service Master Gardener
discusses a rainwater simulator to the Leon County fourth grade
students.








Pic 3
Charlene Manning, Texas Agrilife Extension Service Master Gardener
demonstrates the correct way to propagate plants to Leon County fourth
grade students.








Pic4
Royce Keeling Texas Agrilife Extension Volunteer and Leon County Farm
Bureau Board Member provides information on food grains to Leon County
fourth grade students.









Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service