Organized by the RBHS group the Future Farmers of America (FFA), Agriculture (AG) Day was Oct. 17 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in front of the main entrance to RBHS. It promised an immersive agricultural experience with live animals, industry booths and hands-on learning.
FFA organizes the entire event in collaboration with the agriculture-focused Columbia Area Career Center (CACC) classes. Sophomore Marguerite Flagg is in Introduction to Plant Sciences and Greenhouses, a class offered at the building, and said the class prepared all week for AG Day, assembling small succulents and plants for students to take home.
“I was most excited [about] spending the day outside,” Flagg said, “and being able to share a fun experience [with] FFA.”
The event’s main goal was to provide students with an exposure to agriculture and show them the potential future they can have in the field hands-on. Kevin Duncan, the CACC lead FFA adviser, said attendees are able to visualize what a career in agriculture may look like.
“We have everything from large farm animals, such as horses, to insects,” Duncan said. “The experience gives students the opportunity to get up close with the animals and actually interact with them.”
There were many activities that demonstrated the endless opportunities in the agriculture industry. Students engaged in plant propagation, explored floral design and delved into mechanics, thanks to farm equipment and industry partners’ involvement. Flagg said the floral aspect of AG Day sparked her interest in becoming a greenhouse manager.
“The [plant propagation] gave me new perspectives on other people’s goals,” Flagg said. “[It] encouraged me to branch out in my thinking for future careers.”
RBHS AG Day continues to educate students on how and why food and fiber are produced, as well as exposing the next generation to the many opportunities in agriculture. Duncan said agricultural literacy is important to RBHS, and how he hopes this event will motivate more students to join FFA.
“Students can join the [CACC] FFA program and get involved if they are enrolled in one of the various agriculture classes,” Duncan said. “Personally, it is very rewarding to me each year to see our students educating their peers about the vast field of Agriculture.”
AG Day also highlights the community within FFA, bringing in other members that may not go RBHS. FFA is a national organization and beyond spreading knowledge of agriculture creates opportunities for long-lasting friendships and connections. Flagg said she experienced a very memorable moment from last year’s AG Day that led to a close friendship.
“Last year at the event I reconnected with an old friend from elementary school that had moved away,” Flagg said. “Because of FFA we got to talk, exchange numbers, and we even hung out just this last weekend. Without AG Day we would have never reconnected.”
What was your favorite activity at Ag Day? Let us know in the comments below.
