FARMINGTON – More than 1,000 students, teachers and parents attended the annual Agriculture Education Day held on Monday at the 174th Farmington Fair.
Small groups of elementary school students and adults moved from one station to another learning about all things agricultural. The more than 30 stations, each with one or more presenters, included topics such as composting, beekeeping, paper production, growing vegetables, milking and butter demonstration and moose calling.
Students, attending from schools in a five-county area, also visited the animal barns, exhibition hall, the saphouse and Red Schoolhouse. The event is organized by the Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District. Rosetta Thompson, executive director and education coordinator for the district, said she was pleased with both the turnout and the weather for the annual Ag Day.
“The weather is perfect today for this,” she said smiling.
Meanwhile, fair week continues with ride specials Monday from 5 to 10 p.m. and the new Drag Your Neighbor at the race grandstand beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday is Senior Day with discounted $2 entry for those 62 and up.
Neal Yeaton, Franklin County Agricultural Society treasurer, said opening day on Sunday went very well until it got cold in the late evening and people left.
“People weren’t dressed for it,” Yeaton said. “We have to think back to 30 years ago when we wore our winter coats and mittens to the fair. We’ve been spoiled the last years because it’s been warm.”
But, it was “a good day with quite a few people here,” he said. The new barrel racing event held on Sunday proved popular and the exhibition hall’s displays are full, thanks to the local growing talents of many people.
Thanks Jeff for all the years you have been making Agriculture Day a fun, learning experience for kids.
Thank you to all involved. I wish I could have participated as a chaperone for my sons 1st grade class but am swamped with work. Much appreciation to the teachers, parents, and all the many individuals involved. This is truly what the fair should be about. A POSITIVE educational experience. Not all the other nonsense taking place on the midway.
Thanks again!