Kendall Agricultural Careers Field Trip Series

Project Overview

YENC23-190
Project Type: Youth Educator
Funds awarded in 2023: $4,222.00
Projected End Date: 07/31/2025
Grant Recipient: Kendall County Soil and Water Conservation District
Region: North Central
State: Illinois
Project Manager:
Ariel Beauchamp
Email
Kendall County Soil and Water Conservation District

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: youth education, Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources career exploration with tour on local farms and local agriculture organizations

    Abstract:

    ***Update 1/12/2025: This project was cancelled early. They returned unused funds.***

    ***Update 08/06/2024: Our project has been delayed due to increased demand in primary programs taking away office time to coordinate this summer program. Our modified plan is to hire staff, lower variety of primary programs, and do another round of the field trip series over 4 full days rather than 6 half days in June of 2025.***

     

    Youth were transported by SUV to a variety of farms and agriculture industries over 6 days to learn about sustainable agriculture practices and agriculture careers involving plant science, animal science, agriculture technology, agriculture mechanics, agriculture business, environmental services, food sciences, and natural resources. Youth had an experiential learning experience by touring 3 farms and 8 agriculture facilities in person and talk with professionals in diverse agriculture careers. This field trip series educated and inspired youth on practicing sustainable agriculture practices and consider careers in agriculture. All students at the end of the field trips series shared agriculture careers they were going to explore more after the program ended. One student shared that their career knowledge has expanded and they were interested in having a career in agriculture.

    Project objectives:

    1. Introduce high school students to a minimum of 18 sustainable agriculture career opportunities through 6, half-day field trips to different farms and agriculture related agencies.
    2. Introduce students to a minimum of 6 sustainable agriculture practices.
    3. Each participating youth will verbally present at the end of the project what career they would be interested in pursuing and why. 
    4. Reflective surveys of each day will be given to obtain data on impact of project. Results will be shared with partners and through social media.
    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.