Engaging Youth in Sustainable Agriculture through Hands-On Experiences

Project Overview

YENC21-170
Project Type: Youth Educator
Funds awarded in 2021: $3,994.00
Projected End Date: 01/31/2023
Grant Recipient: Jackson County Extension Council
Region: North Central
State: Missouri
Project Manager:
Dwayne Morrison
Email
Jackson County Extension Council

Commodities

  • Animals: poultry

Practices

  • Education and Training: youth education

    Abstract:

    Original Summary Submitted by Previous MU Extension Educator, Jessie Furgins in 2021: 

    • "Our goal is to use the 4-H model coupled with partnerships, established through Missouri Extension, to expand youth's knowledge and skills in sustainable agriculture. This will be completed through two major programs, Farm to Table Camp and Embryology curriculum in school classrooms. We anticipate giving youth the opportunity to learn where their food comes from, potential careers in agriculture, and best practices for sustainable agriculture through hands-on activities. We hope participants share their newfound knowledge and skills with their families and neighbors." 

    Additions Submitted by new MU Extension Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development, Joshua Shinn, in March 2023: 

    • Introductory Note: I came onboard with MU Extension at the Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development in mid-2022, thus, I am reporting to the best of my ability what I know of my predecessor's work.  
    • Farm to Table: See report from previous project coordinator.
    • Embryology Curriculum: The Embryology Program in Jackson County is quite robust, and I am helping to oversee the execution of it this year. It is one of our most sought-after programs that we will continue in the foreseeable future. Both youth and educators love the ways in which the program provides direct experience and hands-on-learning with the life cycle of poultry. If we had the funding, we would have used it to purchase at least 10, if not more, new Manna Pro Harris Farms Nurture Right Incubators for our program. As it stands, Jackson County has 37 incubators, 25 of which are hand-made, old, and in need of replacement/ updating. 

     

    Project objectives:

    Original Project Objectives Submitted by Previous MU Extension Educator, Jessie Furgins in 2021: 

    1. Increase youth's awareness of where their food comes from. 
    2. Provide hands on experiences regarding sustainable agriculture. 
    3. Introduce youth to potential careers in sustainable agriculture. 
    4. Share project concept and results with colleagues through conference poster session. 

    Revised Project Objectives Submitted by new MU Extension Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development, Joshua Shinn, in March 2023: 

    1. Improve youth's ability to plan and conduct a simple investigation.
    2. Improve youth's ability to use simple equipment and tools to gather data.
    3. Improve's youth's ability to use data to construct a reasonable explanations and conclusions.
    4. Improve youth's ability to communicate investigation explanations and conclusions. 
    5. Improve youth's understanding of the life cycle of organisms (e.g., embryos to chicks) 
    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.