Each year, about 1,500 Tyler ISD fourth- and fifth-grade students visit the East Texas State Fair to learn about agriculture and the important role it plays in their everyday lives.
On Wednesday, Bell Elementary students explored the fairgrounds, learning how milk was produced, petting lambs and getting an up-close look at horses, cows, goats and other farm animals. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Smith County agents and employees led demonstrations and tours, giving students hands-on opportunities to learn about agriculture.
Smith County 4-H Extension Agent Skyler Shivley demonstrated how to milk a cow while teaching students about the dairy industry and its importance to Smith County and communities across the country. He also explained how farmers and ranchers cared for the cows that produced the milk students enjoyed every day.
“Happy, healthy cows are going to produce more milk,” Shivley told the students. “That means more milk and ice cream.” Students also learned that a single cow could produce as much as eight gallons of milk, weighing approximately 64 pounds, in one day.
These annual field trips provide students with an opportunity to learn how agriculture contributes to the production of food, clothing and other necessities. For many students, the visit is also a chance to see farm and ranch animals up close for the first time.
Smith County Judge Neal Franklin and Communications Director Casey Murphy joined the Bell students during their field trip. Smith County became a community partner with Bell Elementary last year through the Community Connect program, a partnership led by the Tyler Area Business Education Council and Tyler ISD.
Since then, Smith County officials and Bell Elementary students and staff have participated in one another’s events and activities, strengthening the connection between the school and its community partner.
“The East Texas Fair is a great time to learn about agriculture from our AgriLife Extension agents,” Judge Franklin said. “We enjoyed getting to come out today with our partner, Bell Elementary, and watch the kids learn and have fun. And it gives them a chance to see our wonderful East Texas State Fair, which has such a positive impact on our community.”
Images courtesy of Smith County