PRIMGHAR, Iowa – Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach will host the annual Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Field Days for area high school students on Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 3-5 at the Northwest Iowa Research Farm near Sutherland.
Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days engage high school-aged youth in hands-on agricultural learning while also showcasing careers in agriculture and connecting students with college and business and industry leaders.
“Precision Ag and Animal Science Days encourage Northwest Iowa high schoolers to take a look at the many career avenues agriculture offers in Iowa and nationwide,” said Beth Bunkers, Youth Program Specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Students take part in real-life ag career activities and make connections with individuals who can help them after high school, whether that be in college or the job market. The connections students make during this event can guide them in making career choices and even finding a job or internship.”
Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days received the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Seal of Approval in 2017 and each year, event coordinators strive to make Precision Ag and Animal Science Days bigger and better than the last.
One hundred fifty students in 9th through 12th grade are welcome to attend the event each day, for a total of approximately 450 youth participants during the three-day period. Precision agriculture and animal science – specifically poultry production and biosecurity – are the focuses of this year’s event, and students will take part in a variety of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities.
“Agriculture is ever-changing, which means that ag careers are constantly evolving,” said Kate Stewart, K-12 Program Coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach in O’Brien County. “Traditional ag careers have evolved with developments in technology, marketing, biosecurity and more. We hope to show students that no matter their strengths and skillsets, they can find a great job in agriculture or a related field, and they can find it here in Northwest Iowa.”
Each day, there will be 12 different presentations between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., with a keynote speaker during the noon lunch.
Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days are hosted for participating schools and students at no charge thanks to generous community partners and volunteers. ISU Extension and Outreach coordinates and hosts the event, with financial and in-kind assistance from local sponsors.
“We could not host this event without our generous sponsors, as well as the college and business and industry leaders who volunteer their time to come and host educational sessions for students,” Bunkers said. “A sincere thank you to all of those who help make this event possible.”
To view a video recap from a past Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Day, visit https://youtu.be/65MYtX9KSqU and keep up with the 2019 event on ISU Extension and Outreach O’Brien County’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ISUExtensionandOutreachOBrienCounty) or on Instagram (@isuobrienext).
For more information about the event and/or to get involved, contact Kate at 712-957-5045 or kstewart@iastate.edu or Beth at 712-737-4230 or bbunkers@iastate.edu.
