VINTON – Third-graders from all around the county will visit the Benton County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, April 30 for the Annual 3rd Grade Ag Day. This event is sponsored each year by the Benton County Extension Office, and includes students from several area schools, including those in the Home School Association Program (HSAP).
Letters were sent out in March to all Elementary Principals and 3rd Grade Teachers in Benton County from Greg Walston, the Program Director for Benton County ISU Extension & Outreach. Benton Community students from Keystone and Atkins, along with students from Belle Plaine, Central Lutheran, Shellsburg, Tilford and HSAP third-graders are invited to attend.
“The Benton County Farm Bureau, Benton County ISU Extension & Outreach, Belle Plaine, Benton Community & Vinton-Shellsburg һԹ and the local crop and livestock commodity organizations are inviting all 3rd grade students to participate in an agricultural field day on Wednesday, April 30, 2025,” the letter states.
Students from the seven participating schools will rotate through eight different stations where they will learn about several agricultural topics including: swine, horses, dairy, beef, poultry and rabbits, sheep and goats, corn and soybeans, and farm equipment and safety.
“This is an opportunity to hear local farmers and specialists talk about their farming operations,” Walston said. “We will have the actual animals on hand for students to see and learn about. We will try to bring the ‘farm’ to the fairgrounds as much as possible.”
There will also be several displays from places like Benton County Conservation, Benton County Soil Conservation, 4-H, REC Electric, as well as a display of honeybees. Students will also receive a bag of “fun things” to take home.
Lunch will be provided by area commodity groups and Farm Bureau and will consist of grilled hamburger or pork burger on a bun, chips, milk and ice cream.
If you have any questions or concerns about the 3rd Grade Ag field day, please give Greg Walston a call at 319-472-4739.