The Importance of Agriculture Education

The Importance of Agriculture Education

By Sara Preston

Teaching About Where Food Comes from and the Opportunities Yet to Come

Hello! I am so excited to be this year’s author of Fresh Picked. I’m looking forward to sharing information about important topics in agriculture and details about our family farm. I am a sixth-generation farmer where being around animals or in a corn field brings joy to my heart. I am also a mom, wife, daughter, volunteer and educator.

My passion for agriculture has never wavered. Because I grew up on a farm, I had the privilege of always knowing where my food comes from and even had the honor of being a dairy princess in my high school years.

As a dairy princess, I traveled around my home state of Minnesota promoting dairy products and talking about how farmers care for their cows. To me, that was part of life, with programs like 4-H and FFA igniting a fire and passion for agriculture that continues to grow.

My enthusiasm for agriculture led to my current role as a classroom educator for North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom. I teach preschool through eighth graders about agriculture. Lessons include everything from knowing the difference between pigs and cows to making ethanol. This instruction continues to expand into different schools and counties as community members see the importance and impact these ag education lessons have on students.

I truly believe everyone should know where their food comes from and what it takes to get it from the farm to the table. As a farmer, I want people to know and understand how well their food is taken care of, whether it is a soybean plant or a beef animal, we care about everything we do. We care about the kernel of corn when it is planted in the ground and the calf that was born in the middle of a snowstorm that has around-theclock care to ensure it is warm and healthy. We put a lot of thought and a whole lot of heart into everything we do.

By learning about agriculture and farming practices, consumers can separate fact from fiction. As an informed consumer, when information is shared on social media, in an article or as part of a movie, you know the facts behind agriculture and can distinguish whether what you’re seeing is accurate or just hype.

Sara Preston is a sixth-generation farmer who raises cattle and grows corn and soybeans. She is an active member of CommonGround Iowa and is an educator with North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom. She grew up in the agriculture industry with a foundation in the 4-H and FFA Youth Leadership programs. Sara lives near Swea City with her husband Jared and children Nora and Maggie.

You might be thinking, “There is no way my child will be a farmer, so they don’t really need to learn about agriculture.” Agriculture is so much more than just farmers. As the world's population increases, agriculture is going to have to grow with it to feed, clothe and provide essential infrastructure.

Does your child like technology? What about building things? Do they enjoy cooking? Are they a good problem-solver? One out of five jobs in Iowa is tied to agriculture. There is a place and interest for everyone with an estimated more than 58,000 agriculture-related jobs coming available each year as we get closer to the year 2050. Agriculture is a huge opportunity for today’s youth, and ag programs are critical in both rural and urban schools.

Agriculture education programs used to be common across the state, but with school funding issues, agriculture is often the first program to be eliminated. I invite you to encourage your school boards, superintendents and school staff to tie agriculture into the curriculum. Agriculture can be incorporated into all subjects, including math, science, social studies and reading. In addition, Ag in the Classroom programs are available statewide. To find out more about the programs in your area, simply reach out to your county Farm Bureau or the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation.

Agriculture plays an important role in our lives from those of us who work hard to feed the growing population, to those who are consuming a steak or driving a vehicle fueled with E85. Agriculture has many opportunities coming our way. The key to being able to see and find these opportunities is by providing agriculture education in our schools, communities and at home. The future of agriculture is bright and has a place for everyone.

I truly believe everyone should know where their food comes from and what it takes to get it from the farm to the table.