The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The eighth annual Chouteau County Ag Days for 4th and 5th graders will take place at the Chouteau County Fairgrounds on May 6, 2020. All 4th and 5th graders in Chouteau County are invited to attend. Home school kids who are interested in participating need to contact the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3751.

Participants will learn the importance of Montana’s number one industry; agriculture, and why agriculture is important to their health, home and community. For thousands of years, civilization has been built upon the foundation laid by farmers and ranchers. Today’s American farmers produce an abundance of food and fiber, as well as flowers, fish, forest products, forage and fuel. Farmers and ranchers provide American consumers with products at prices among the lowest in the world. Many agricultural products are exported, helping feed people around the world. Farmers and ranchers are also stewards of the land. Agricultural producers promote clean water, improve wildlife habitat and promote soil health in an effort to sustain their farms and ranches for future generations.

Participants will learn about pollination, sheep and wool, horsemanship on the ranch, farm to table, soil health, and how farm machinery is used on the farm and ranch to produce food. Educators are from the Chouteau County and Big Sandy Conservation Districts, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Farmers Union, MSU Extension, 4-H and FFA.

The event was organized by Chouteau County and Big Sandy Conservation Districts, Chouteau County Principals and FFA advisors, Farmers Union and MSU Extension Chouteau County. Highwood, Big Sandy, and homeschoolers will begin at 9:30 a.m. and finish at 12:04 p.m. Fort Benton and Geraldine 4-5th graders, will begin at 12:00 p.m. and finish at 2:30 p.m. The afternoon group will need to eat at 11:15 a.m. at the 4-H exhibit building so they can begin at noon. The morning group will eat at noon before returning to school.

A special thanks to Montana Farmers Union for sponsoring the lunch. In addition, thank you to the Chouteau County Fair Board, Joyce Fuel and Feed, Power Motors Implement, Torgerson’s of Havre and Great Falls, Frontline Ag of Great Falls, and Hoven Equipment for donating equipment on previous Ag Day events.

Montana State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach. USDA and Conservation Districts are equal opportunity service providers and employers.