By Pam Dudding
You don’t want to miss this exciting event as the students of Craig County High School are gearing up to provide the community with a fun-filled day full of food, shopping and exhibits.
The FFA (Future Farmers of America) and the Agriculture program students are inviting the community to come to the school on May 7th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to see their new Land Lab as well as all the other activities they have planned.
There will be live demos, games, viewing and touching large equipment, shopping with craft and business vendors as well as picking up a few bargains at the yard sale booths.
Without the community attending, the Ag Fair will not be successful. They have many demos scheduled, including police dogs showing how they help their trainers track down criminals and drugs; horseshoeing; drone flying; ATV safety; beekeeping; wool felting and baby chicken care.
They will have kids’ activities such as bull roping, sack races, seed necklaces, treasure hunt, “milk the cow,” and face painting.
Besides the opportunity to see the new calves, there will be sheep and kune kune pigs. There will be a section with trucks, farm and lawn equipment that you can see, touch and ask questions about and Ag supply vendors will be on hand for sales and passing out information. Also, the students will be selling the plants they have raised in their greenhouse.
The Craig County basketball team will be selling hot dog meals, so come hungry and support their team. There will be a 50/50 drawing and raffle ticket sales and live music throughout the day.
There are still booths available for both craft and yard sale items (craft – $25 – yard sale for used items – $15). Contact Mary Hunter at [email protected] for a registration form or Emily Nolen at the school.
Crafters who have already signed up: needle felted wool items, dryer balls, children’s books, Thirty-one bags, essential oils and supplements, paper crafts, gnomes, Christmas ornaments, farmhouse decor, Scentsy, handmade jewelry, custom wood products, cutting boards, clocks and mug holders.
“The Land Lab is a section of land at the school that the students themselves have worked hard to fence and set up to house various animals,” Mary Hunter shared.
The students have worked diligently with the help of community members, including John and Mary Hunter and their new teacher, Emily Nolen.
“I want to recognize John and Mary hunter as they have been instrumental in this project,” shared Superintendent Jeanette Warwick. “And making this land lab a reality, as it is something we have been working on for many, many years.
Warwick also spoke on her excitement to drive into work and see the new calves. “They were mooing, so I had to pull over and take a picture as they stared at me,” she added. “I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you, because this is such an asset to our program, and I am very excited. I believe our boost kids will be able to help with some feeding.”
Nolen added, “We had water and electricity installed and have a plan for an enclosed barn to put around our working shoots so when the students are helping with the animals they have shelter as well.”
“They are looking forward to having hands on experience,” Nolen added. “With that being said we are still looking for feed donations.”
Plans are to add raised beds. The students will have their choice of what they plant. “Next Spring, we will be selling the three calves and will put the money back in the program so we can purchase more calves,” she said.
Emily Lucas, president of the Junior Ag informed every one of the upcoming fair and invited each of the board members. Sheep will also be a part of the Land Lab in the future. In addition to caring for them they will learn to train them for showing.
“Nolen will provide instructions in class and then the students will have hands-on experience of actually doing what they have learned in the classroom,” Hunter noted. “This is a unique experience that is not offered at every school and is an incredible opportunity for our youth to learn about the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives and provide them with experience that may direct them toward an agricultural career path.”
Everyone is invited to attend in hopes to raise funds for the new Land Lab but also for the community to have a fun-filled day.