Pioneer Region - Cuyahoga County Farm Bureau Making a Connection to Ag Since 1989, OSU Extension and Cuyahoga County Farm Bureau have been helping teens from urban areas learn about the many career opportunities in agriculture. Twice a year, they organize bus trips to The Ohio University or Ohio State’s ATI in Wooster. The students are in grades 8 and up, and are recruited from Cuyahoga’s 33 school districts, private schools and home-schoolers. "Farm Bureau and Extension want to help young people in urban areas get a better feel for agribusiness. Most youths in urban areas have a limited concept of ag," said Greg Siek, OSU Extension agent. "One out of seven jobs have connections to ag, whether directly or indirectly. Many of these students find niches they were never aware of before." The most recent trip was to Ohio State in February. When the 40 students with their chaperones arrived, they toured the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. After lunch the children were separated into breakout sessions featuring horticulture, agricultural engineering, veterinary science and natural resources. The students were then broken into two groups and toured the College of Human Ecology and the Medical Technology Department of the College of Allied Medical Professions. At the College of Human Ecology, the students learned about consumer and textile sciences, human development and nutrition. At the Medical Technology Department, the students learned about lab work, health and disease. The next bus trip will be to ATI tentatively scheduled in December. | |