During the recent COVID-19 pandemic virus many ag events throughout North Carolina were cancelled. One such annual event was the Onslow County Ag Days and some 800 students across the county attended the two-day session on a local farm. “Many school kids look forward to spring school tours. It is an educational way to connecting with our farmers and learn “where does our food come from” said Melissa Huffman, Onslow County Extension ag agent. Huffman and Onslow County Extension Director, Peggie Garner had an idea to hand out ag bags at the local Farmers Market in Jacksonville.
They were supported by the local Onslow County school system as they set up stations and spoke to the kids during their visit to the Farmers Market on a Saturday morning. They successfully handed out over 320 ag bags to those students who were able to attend the Farmers Market.
The goal of these ag bags was to provide elementary-aged youth an opportunity to gain “hands-on” knowledge of agriculture here in North Carolina. NC Soybean Producers Association provided a kid book that told the story of the journey of the soybean. The bags were filled with items like “how to grow your own soybeans” seed packs. A great way for kids to plant seeds during the summer months and watch them grow into a soybean plant. Included in each bag was word puzzles, games, a pencil, bookmark, coloring sheets and the “ABCs of Agriculture” which is a way to connect with products in your home that come from plants known as ag byproducts.
Thanks to these organizations that donated materials for the ag bags. NC Soybean Producers Association, NC Small Grain Grower Association, The Dairy Alliance, Onslow County Farm Bureau, NC Pork Council, NC Egg Association, and the Onslow County Cooperative Extension.
