Jackson Co. Youth Ag Day is a big hit with area students

By CAROLYN ROST | South Central Texas Edition

Fourth graders from Stephen F. Austin Elementary were surprised to see a real alligator - although a young one - held by Cynthia McLemore with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lake Texana State Park. McLemore was one of many informative presenters during the recent Jackson County Youth Ag Day event. She advised the students on such things as "do not feed or annoy alligators" and to "keep a safe distance at all times" from the reptiles. -Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

June 2, 2005 - There are many Jackson County fourth graders who can now explain how cotton is ginned, how a cow gives milk, what foods are made from corn, and about chickens laying eggs -- thanks to the recent Youth Ag Day.

The fourth graders were presented the information, and much more, during the May 12 event, hosted by Texas Cooperative Extension and the Jackson County Farm Bureau.

Dennis Carr with Southwest Dairy Farmers, introduces Dolly as he tells the students about the modern milking process, characteristics and anatomy of dairy cows, importance of dairy foods in a healthy diet and more dairy-related facts. -Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

The Ag Day education focused on the county's agriculture aspects. Fourth graders from Ganado Elementary in Ganado, Stephen F. Austin Elementary in Edna, Industrial Elementary East in Vanderbilt, and Industrial Elementary West in Industrial were the benefactors of the special day.

Several Extension committees, including Beef Cattle, Field Crops and Rice, along with speakers representing the Texas Youth Hunting Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Southwest Dairy Farmers, Shoppa's Farm Supply, Jackson County Master Gardeners, Leon Hatterman Poultry, Lavaca Navidad River Authority, Jackson County 4-H, Jackson County Better Living for Texans and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department shared interesting and informative information with the youth on the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives.

Ralph Novosad with the Rice Belt Warehouse gives a presentation on how rice is grown and the products made to kids from Ganado Elementary. -Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

Twelve stations were set up, on the county's fairgrounds in Edna, with a 15- to 20-minute presentation given at each station. Demonstrations included how cotton is ginned, poultry and egg production and how to milk Dolly, a 6-year-old Jersey cow.

Presentations included topics such as: types of food made from corn and rice; preserving the hunting tradition; caliber identification and gun safety; good and bad bugs in the garden; food bacteria and importance of handwishing; 4-H program and projects; by-products of beef; types of wildlife; tractors and farm equipment; and alligator etiquette.

Although heavy clouds let a few sprinkles fall, the weather held out for the educational day.

"Jackson County Youth Ag Day was a tremendous success. As the students went through each of the stations you could see the excitement on their faces as they started putting all the pieces together. I think all of the youth learned something about the importance of agriculture in Jackson County," concluded Jennifer Janssen, Jackson County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences.