OREGON, Ill.— On September 3 and 4, 368 students from seven area schools gathered at the Ogle County Fairgrounds for Ag Awareness Day, an educational event designed to introduce students to the different aspects of agriculture and its importance in everyday life.
Hosted by University of Illinois Extension, Ag Awareness Day provided students with an interactive, hands-on opportunity to learn about agriculture through a variety of workshops led by local agricultural professionals, educators, and industry representatives. Throughout the event, students explored topics ranging from animal health and crop production to engineering, conservation, and agricultural careers.
The workshops encouraged students to discover how agriculture connects to the food they eat, the resources they use, and the communities in which they live. By participating in these activities, students gained a better understanding of the science, technology, and people that help keep agriculture growing.
This year’s workshops featured a wide range of agricultural topics and presenters, including “Careers to Grow Into,” led by John Heisner; “Doctoring the Barnyard,” led by Dr, Bob Ebbesmeyer; “Harnessing the Wind,” led by Abigail Nelson; “Horses on the Farm,” led by Melinda Merboth; “Insect Heroes and Villains,” led by Phil Bratta and Marcia Heuer, and another session led by Kaylee Miller; “Layers of Land,” led by Brian Lindquist; “Magic of Modern Equipment,” led by Heritage Tractor; “Navigating the Row,” led by Melinda Colbert; “Raising the Herd,” led by Amanda Harbaugh; “Water…Pure and Simple,” led by Martha Ebbesmeyer; “Bite into Beef,” led by Annette Martin; “Engineering Ethanol,” led by CHS; “Growing up Grain,” led by Oregon FFA; and “Harvesting Honey,” led by Jeff Ludwig.
Ag Awareness Day would not be possible without the time, knowledge, and dedication of the presenters and volunteers who shared their expertise with participating students. Their efforts helped make agriculture more accessible and engaging while encouraging students to consider the many opportunities available within the industry.
Schools participating in the year’s event included Monroe Center, Chana, West Carroll, Eswood, Oregon, Eastland, and Chadwick-Milledgeville.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.