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Annual Ag Program Makes Learning Fun

Franklin County Farm Bureau is an annual sponsor of Scarlet and Gray Ag Day at The Ohio State University each spring. More than 350 Columbus area students participated in educational, hands-on sessions about agriculture and natural resources.

Fifth graders from Brentnell Montessori, Court Elementary, Columbus City School ECLIPSE program and Worthington Schools were a part of more than 30 different sessions ranging from food safety to livestock production. The students also witnessed a live demonstration on the making of bratwurst and cheese. The 25-minute sessions were designed to increase awareness of agriculture in today’s society and its importance to our lives.

Each class participating received an Ohio Farm Bureau "A-Z Celebrating the Harvest Kit." The kit provides lesson plans and activities about agriculture that associate with the curriculum. Before the event teachers were trained on how to use the kits in their classrooms.

"Scarlet and Gray Ag Day is designed to educate students by opening their eyes to the world of agriculture and natural resources by engaging them in fun and interesting hands-on activities that correlate with their curriculum," said Jessica Hazel, Scarlet and Gray Ag Day co-chair and OFBF intern.

Each student was provided a T-shirt with the Franklin County Farm Bureau logo on it. "It is important to the future of agriculture and Farm Bureau that our youth learn and understand farming," said Angela Banbury, organization director for Delaware and Franklin counties.

Now in its fourth year, Scarlet and Gray Ag Day has been made possible through a University Outreach and Engagement grant and support from agricultural commodity groups. Sessions take place on the Ohio State campus in the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Ohio State faculty, staff and students along with commodity group representatives serve as presenters of the sessions. All together more than 500 people are involved in the event.