Ohio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, ExploreAg, offers FREE week, multi-day and day-long immersion programs for high-school students. In ExploreAg, teens learn about agriculture and related STEM fields from industry experts, scientists, and educators. Participants visit locations like Kroger and Bob Evans, manufacturers like John Deere and Certified Angus Beef, and research laboratories at OSU, Wilmington and Findlay. Youth are able to develop their leadership and collaboration skills and prepare for college and further careers.
The 10-year need for workers in agribusiness occupations totals nearly 470,000. More than 90,000 of this need is in farming occupations, including agricultural managers. Source: Regionomics
The recipient of American Farm Bureau’s 2020 New Horizon Award, the ExploreAg program offers one-week long camps, weekend camps and one day experiences for high school students free of charge. Students are immersed in hands-on learning exposing them to a multitude of careers in agriculture, including those careers in STEM.
High school students interact with and learn from internationally known teachers, scientists and researchers. Students are hosted on college campuses such as Ohio State University, Central State University and the University of Findlay and are introduced to various aspects of agriculture both in the classroom and through diverse hands-on learning experiences.
In addition to the classroom experience, scholars will participate in field experiences that highlight cutting-edge research, and introduce industry partners, to provide scholars with a glimpse of innovative careers in related fields.
“ExploreAg is more than just a camp, it’s awesome to get to see how broad agriculture is while having fun and making new friends. You end up learning a lot without it ever feeling like work. It’s an awesome opportunity to have fun, gain new friends, make valuable connections and maybe even find your lifelong career.” Zach Z.
2023 Information
Three weeklong camps are being planned for 2023, and four mini camps.
Weeklong camps:
OSU Columbus Campus, June 11-16
OSU Wooster Campus, June 18-23
University of Findlay, July 9-14
Mini Camps:
Central State University June 2
Wilmington College June 4-7
COLT Electric Lineman Training, June 9
Rio Grande, June 30
John Deere Training Facility, Plain City July 7
Hocking College, July 31 – Aug. 2
Find your career in agriculture
About
ExploreAg introduces students to the various careers in science, engineering and technology in the food and fiber industry.
Scholars are selected through a competitive application process requiring a completed application and one reference that is not a friend or family member.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, ExploreAg, will once again be offering free weeklong camps and one-day experiences for high school students in 2023.
Newly appointed Ohio NRCS Chief John Wilson talks about stepping into his new role and some of the challenges and goals he has for his agency moving forward.
Teaching students about the career possibilities in agriculture – and at places like Davey Tree Expert Company – is a key mission of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.