PRIMGHAR, Iowa — Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach will host its annual Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Field Days for area high school students on Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 4-6 at the Northwest Iowa Research Farm near Sutherland.
Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Field Days received the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Seal of Approval in 2017, and according to Beth Bunkers, event coordinator, plans are underway to make the 2018 event bigger than past years. One hundred fifty agricultural education students and their instructors are welcomed each day to take part in hands-on agriculture, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related activities.
“The two overall goals of Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days are to engage youth in hands-on learning and to connect them with colleges and business and industry leaders, thereby creating awareness of the ever-evolving agriculture industry and the career opportunities within it,” Bunkers said.
There will be 12 different presentations each day, with a keynote speaker during the noon lunch. This year, Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days will focus on precision agriculture, as well as the beef and dairy industries – from production to consumption.
In the past, 100 students maximum could attend each day, but with demand growing, staff and volunteers worked to increase that number so that this year 450 youth will be able to attend during the three-day time period.
“We always get positive feedback from students and instructors, as well as our industry and college partners,” Bunkers said. “The students and instructors appreciate having an opportunity for hands-on, out-of-the-classroom applications of what they are studying, and our business partners appreciate the opportunity to meet and interact with their future workforce. All of this is provided at no cost to the school, youth or presenters thanks to many generous community sponsors and volunteers.”
Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days are hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach with help from several partners. Businesses and organizations providing financial support and in-kind donations for the 2018 Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days include: the Northwest Iowa Region Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, O’Brien County Farm Bureau, Clay County Farm Bureau, O’Brien County Farm Credit Services of America, HyVee Distribution, Western Iowa Dairy Alliance (WIDA), Midwest Dairy Association, O’Brien County Cattlemen’s Association, Cherokee County Cattlemen’s Association, and Agropur.
View a video recap from past Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days at https://youtu.be/65MYtX9KSqU and keep up with the 2018 event by following @ISUExtensionandOutreachOBrienCounty on Facebook. Photos will be posted daily, as well as after the event.
For more information, contact Bunkers at 712-957-5045 or bbunkers@iastate.edu.
— Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
For more news from Iowa, click here.