Imagine driving five and a half hours across state lines for a week-long road trip in what I thought was the most boring state ever… North Dakota. For some, that might sound like a nightmare. For me, it was the beginning of a week full of new experiences, unexpected lessons, and memories that would leave a lasting impact.
Held at the Ramsey County Fairgrounds, students rotated through eight interactive learning stations featuring honey, legumes, dairy, oils, beef, pork, poultry, North Dakota grains, and careers in agriculture.
Students had the chance to experience agriculture in ways that simply aren’t possible from a textbook. During the Ag Day event, they rotated through stations where they met sheep, pigs, beef cattle, goats, rabbits, horses, and chickens while learning how each animal contributes to agriculture.
Students played an active role in bringing the greenhouse back into use after it had sat unused for several years.
Throughout the school year, students explored the world of honeybees through books, research, hands-on projects, guest speakers, and creative activities.
Students played an active role in every stage of the project, from preparing the incubator to caring for newly hatched chicks.
Instead of learning about agriculture from a textbook, Mohall FFA members put their knowledge into action by giving back to the people who make agriculture possible.
Before stepping into the role of teachers, four students in the Community Development class spent time learning about the many products that come from livestock beyond meat and milk.
During the event, more than 50 Stanley FFA members led agriculture lessons for over 400 elementary students. Each station focused on a different area of agriculture, including soil, wheat, poultry, corn, pork, dairy, and beef.
Farm Safety Camp gives participants the opportunity to learn by doing. Throughout the camp, teens receive one-on-one instruction from NDSU Extension staff and volunteer educators as they practice operating tractors, skid steers, ATVs, and other farm equipment.
With the help of an ND FFA Foundation Ag in the Classroom mini grant, Max FFA launched a multi-dimensional learning project that combined community gardening, food preservation, and peer-to-peer teaching.
Third graders from 13 schools across Burleigh County experience hands-on ag education through an engaging field trip event hosted by NDSU Extension.
Elementary students in Ransom County discover the magic of growing their own food during hands-on planting lessons.
Students learn about leather production from start to finish—then design and stamp their own custom keychains.
Middle school and high school students nurture their seedlings and succulents in the new greenhouse facility at their school.
Killdeer students care for trout in a classroom tank as part of an immersive environmental science unit.
Elementary students interact with grain-filled tables and ag-themed puzzles during the Jamestown Ag Show.
Students in Minot Middle Schools observe lettuce growth in a DIY hydroponic system, thanks to support from the Ag in the Classroom grant.
Students interact with newly hatched chicks during a learning experience led by the Ag Education program.
Students examine seeds, plants, and educational displays focused on oilseeds and pulse crops during this year’s Ag in the Gym program.
Fifth-grade students in McLean County learn how to make their own honey wheat bread—while learning where the ingredients come from—thanks to an engaging Ag in the Classroom project.
Students in Rugby explore ways to stay safe on and off the farm during Ag Safety Day, hosted by the Rugby FFA Chapter.
Students at Ely Elementary explored dairy from “farm to fridge” through direct lessons funded by the Ag in the Classroom grant.
Elementary students at Stanley Public Schools got a tasty introduction to agriculture thanks to a creative, interactive project supported by the Ag in the Classroom grant program.
Elementary students at Stanley Public Schools got a tasty introduction to agriculture thanks to a creative, interactive project supported by the Ag in the Classroom grant program.
Students rotate through safety stations during the Bottineau County Progressive Agriculture Safety Day.
The Wyndmere Ag Program used an Ag in the Classroom grant to enhance its food science curriculum, adding hands-on projects like pasta and cheese making. With new equipment, the program impacted 62 students and highlighted local ingredients, receiving positive media and social media coverage.
The Stanley FFA Chapter used an Ag in the Classroom grant to host a “Food for America” event, teaching 350 elementary students about agriculture through hands-on activities. Led by 53 FFA members, the event aimed to highlight agriculture’s importance and inspire future FFA involvement. The event was well-received and will be improved for next year.
Kristen Heilman from Rugby Public School used an ND FFA Foundation grant to teach 20 4th graders about agriculture through a grow tower project. Students learned about plant growth, hydroponics, and food origins, while growing and harvesting produce in the classroom. The project also promoted healthy eating and created a calming classroom environment.
The North Sargent FFA Chapter used an Ag in the Classroom grant to teach 14 sophomores in an Agriculture 2 class about meat processing and preservation. Students learned knife skills, vacuum sealing, and created “Farm to Table” products like sausage and jerky. The project successfully enhanced their understanding of the meat industry, with positive feedback from students and staff.
The ND FFA Foundation’s Ag in the Classroom grant funded NDSU Extension-Ramsey County’s educational programs, impacting 311 students. The “Field to Fork” event taught 4th graders about agriculture and food production, while the “Progressive Agriculture Safety Day” educated 5th graders on safety. These programs reached students across Ramsey County and received strong community support.
The Bottineau County Progressive Agriculture Safety Day educated 211 students from four school districts on farm safety. With 45 volunteers and 13 presenters, the event highlighted hazard awareness and safety planning, helping farming families prioritize safety and sustain their operations. Now in its fourth year, it remains a key annual event for local schools.
Carrington Public School’s 8th-grade students embarked on a hands-on gardening project, using new tomato planters and grow lights to cultivate cucumbers, radishes, and lettuce. The project not only enhanced their understanding of gardening but also set the stage for future expansion, including plans to involve elementary students next year.
The ND FFA Foundation, in collaboration with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, supported NDSU Extension’s “Ag in the Gym” program. This project reached over 470 students across four counties, providing hands-on learning about dairy, sheep, swine, and more, highlighting the importance of agriculture in everyday life.
