Drew Whithee, Jefferson, helps Rick Martin roll a fleece; photo by Jan Jackson
SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Ag Fest, the volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the importance of agriculture, stage a two day event every year to tell the story. More than 19,000 adults and children wait turns in long lines and crowd into activity booths at the Oregon State Fairgrounds to learn first hand where their food and fiber comes from. Families from all over the state attend the hands-on-experience weekend to see and hear producers, association staff, agriculture related vendors and more than 800 volunteers tell the hands-on story.
“This incredible event is one-of-a-kind in the United States. During the years I attended conferences and meetings for Ag in the Classroom, I always asked if other states did like our Ag Fest and I never found anyone that did. It is family friendly education that engages all the senses and they improve it every year.
“It is two days of shearing on the hour and the half hour,” Martin said of he and his brother’s contribution to Ag Fest. “I also have Cascade High School FFA students here that are doing a great job talking to the kids about the animals.
Sarah Hadley, Springfield Oregon; photo by Jan Jackson
Douglas County sheep grower John Fine brought a wool press that baled the wool that we sheared which also created a lot of interest. “The sheep are a very popular activity here and we keep thinking of ways to improve it.”
Sarah Hadley, from Springfield, Oregon, came for the first time with her nearly three-year old triplet boys was impressed.
“This is an awesome event and we we love it,” Hadley said. “I wish we could have one of these to go to every month.”
More information about Oregon’s Ag Fest is available at http://www.oragfest.com
–Jan Jackson©2014 – See Bio
