Adventures in ag, education at Stanislaus fairground

It was an educational adventure in agriculture – or Ag Edventure – for more than 1,000 third-graders on Friday.

The students converged at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds for the event, hosted by the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. Participants got up-close looks at farm animals and equipment, and learned how cows are branded. It was all part of the effort to educate students about farming and food production. Students also got to meet Sammy Soil, the mascot for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Students were sent home with a cabbage plant and an assignment – to care for the plant for 10 weeks and then take a selfie with it and send it in. There isn’t a grade, but there is a pretty good incentive to nurture the plant: Those who send in their photos will be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship.

This story was originally published October 14, 2016 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Adventures in ag, education at Stanislaus fairground."