Ag Day in Taylor County

October 28th, two hundred and forty-three 5th graders throughout Taylor County had the opportunity to participate in 4-H Agriculture Day. From the time 4-H Agriculture Day was created in 1997, more than 6,000 fifth graders, plus their teacher and parent chaperones have learned more about Florida Agriculture and natural resources. The classes rotate through ten different sessions. These include Four Rivers Timber and Land…. from tree to consumable products; Farm Bureau…raising beef cattle; Horseshoe crabs, peanuts, fresh water species identification, gopher tortoise, honey bees and their impact to production, plant identification and more! At the end of the presentations the kids are invited to look at and touch various products, ranging from planting plants to aquatic animals.

A Fun Experience

As students were preparing to load buses at the end of the program, they were eager to share their new knowledge about where their food comes from. They learned what horses are used for, and how pine trees produce ingredients we use every day. All the agricultural products produced in Taylor County and the State of Florida. For some students it is their first-time learning holding a live horseshoe crab. Program evaluations have shown that 95% of the students have increased their knowledge of Agriculture and Natural Resources. They also gained  knowledge of where food comes from.

Agriculture facts:

• Horseshoe crabs are not actually crabs and they predate the dinosaurs.
• The average worker bee live for just five to six weeks. During this time, she’ll produce around a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey.
• Texas has the highest number of beef cows at around 4,685,000.
• It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
• Gopher tortoises are also named because of their ability to dig large, deep burrows.
• A brocoli is the flower part of the plant before it blooms.
•  At the end of its larval stage, the dragonfly crawls out of the water, then its exoskeleton cracks open and releases the insect’s abdomen, which had been packed in like a telescope. Its four wings come out, and they dry and harden over the next several hours to days.
• You can Estimate a Horse’s age by its Teeth.
• Male alligators can grow up to 15 feet, and female alligators can grow up to 9 feet.

Acknowledgments

Agriculture education would not be possible without the assistance of outstanding and dedicated volunteers, clubs, local families, organizations and businesses that provide knowledge, animals, products, and donations. “Agriculture is a vital part of Florida’s heritage, economic foundation, and future potential. Taylor County 4-H received a Florida Ag in the Classroom Grant to fund Ag day for all fifth graders in the County.

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