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About the Festival . . . With continued urban growth, many youth do not have as much exposure to agriculture as in the past. Many communities are losing touch with Nebraska's greatest resource - agriculture. The Agricultural Awareness Festival provides an opportunity for youth to take a close-up look at agriculture. The first Agricultural Awareness Festival was held at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development (ARDC) near Mead, Nebraska in October 1996 with 200 Omaha Public School sixth grade students attending. Since that time, the festival has grown to multiple days and is now aimed at fourth-graders. The event educates approximately 750 - 900 students primarily from Douglas, Saunders, and Dodge Counties each year. An additional festival was added in 2001. This festival is held at the Lancaster County Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Lancaster County and York County youth have attended. At the ARDC festival, students learn about beef, dairy, and grains sessions. Production, technology, and products in agriculture are covered. Similar sessions are held at the Lincoln festival. Due to the short driving distance and increased time availability, two additional sessions are included involving horticulture and swine. Here's what teachers have to say about the Festival: "I felt that the way the presenters tied agriculture in with our everyday lives was good to see especially for kids from the city." "The students enjoyed all of the sections. Most of them were seeing some of the things for the first time up close." "We live in an agriculture state and city children are not aware of what that means. The program helped." "I think students think food comes from the store, now they know that farmers grow crops and raise animals for food." "Wonderful day and well worth our time! Parents all commented how much they learned also!" Funding, resources, and sustainability. . . Over twenty agriculture businesses, commodity associations, food industry companies and University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) departments have provided support to the Ag Awareness Coalition since its start in 1995. Individual support has ranged from $6,750 grant dollars to volunteer time at the festival, totaling over $30,000 ($30,175) in grant dollars and in-kind donations. In-kind donations do not include volunteer time and expenses. Support has been provided in a variety of ways. Local farm implement dealerships have provided display equipment, several food processors have provided free or discounted food products for the students, and area producers have assisted with festival presentations. In addition, the Ag Awareness Coalition members provide many hours of their personal and/or business expense during the planning meetings. |
