Hutto Middle Schoolers host 2019 Ag-Science Field Day
Published 1:57 pm Friday, July 5, 2019
May 8-9 were dates of the 8th annual Hutto Ag-Science Field Day hosted by Decatur County Extension/4-H and Decatur County Farm Bureau.
The objective of the field day was to emphasize the importance, diversity and scientific connection of agriculture in Decatur County and Georgia. As a partner in 5th grade education, Decatur County 4-H has held monthly Ag-Science lessons in Hutto Middle School science classrooms and the Field Day was the culminating event for the 2018-19 school year.
The Field Day was divided into two morning sessions with each split into six different hands-on stations designed to boost curiosity, increase knowledge and promote career and STEM awareness. The “Sum of the Parts” station helped students recognize that water quality can be affected by both point and non-point pollution.
The session “Fowl Language”, highlighted Georgia’s poultry industry with egg candling and handling chicks. Students planted radish seeds in the recycled newspaper pots they made in the “Rootin’ Radishes” portion. The “Husbandry” segment included facts about Georgia’s livestock industry and the 4-H’ers were able to pet pigs and sheep. Youth learned about the economic importance of the forestry business from the Georgia Forestry Commission and in “Crop Detectives” they had to match manufactured products with their Decatur County grown commodities.
To help celebrate Decatur County’s agricultural importance, Decatur County Extension and Decatur County Farm Bureau provided t-shirts for students and teachers. The artwork for the shirt was drawn by Elisabeth Kent as her winning entry in the Decatur County Farm Bureau High School Art Contest.
Decatur County Extension appreciates Hutto principal, Dr. Crycynthia Gardner, and the HMS faculty and staff for insuring that this culminating event was a success.
UGA Extension programs and services include workshops, classes, consultations, certifications, camps and educator resources to help businesses, communities and families. To learn more, contact Decatur County Extension/4-H at 248-3033.
