Strategies for a Successful Farm Field Day

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Strategies for a Successful Farm Field Day
Presented by
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The Goal

• To increase agricultural literacy in your
  community. A field day is one activity that can
  be used to increase student awareness about
  agriculture and instill in students appreciation
  for our food and fiber system.

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Have Fun!
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Forming a Planning Committee

• County Extension agricultural or 4-H agents
• County Farm Bureau representatives
• Local conservation district supervisor
• Local Ag Science Teachers/FFA advisors
• Elementary school teachers
• Owner/manager of field day site
• Agribusiness professional

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Who is your audience?
Choose activities that are grade appropriate.
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Details Make the Difference
Choose a site which can accommodate buses, is
clean and safe
Trash cans should not be overlooked
Students will need plenty of room for activities
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and shady places to picnic
Everyone appreciates restroom facilities
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Site Selection

• Reflects current approved agricultural practices
• Is safe and clean
• Accessible to buses
• In close proximity to schools
• Has restroom facilities that are or can be made
  available
• Will cover your field day objectives
• Will accommodate the number of students
  regardless of the weather

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Combine your fall farm field day with a trip to a
local CORN MAZE
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Scheduling Tips

• Set your field day well in advance. Call AITC
  office for posting on the web site
• Market event 2-3 months in advance to schools
• Coordination and communication between your
  committee and the school teachers involved is
  absolutely CRITICAL.
• Let your school board and school district know
  about the field day.

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www.agclassroom.org/ut
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School Invitations Teacher Correspondence

• Each teacher who will be invited to the farm
  field day should receive a letter explaining the
  activities, theme and purpose of the event
• Include details arrival and departure time
  parking location (include a map if necessary)
  meeting place
• Teachers appreciate a well organized event!

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• Once teachers have registered to attend the
  farm field day a follow-up letter should be sent.
• The confirmation letter is CRITICAL. Any
  information excluded in the previous invitation
  can be addressed at this time.
• The confirmation letter should include the same
  detailed information as the invitation.

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And now a word about Liability

• If farm field day is directed by the USU
  Extension Service, the Utah Farm Bureau or the
  Utah Assoc. of Conservation Districts (UACD),
  your volunteers and presenters are covered by an
  insurance policy.
• The students attending are not covered by any
  insurance policy.

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Download a Parent Consent Form At www.agclassroom
.org/ut
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What is the best way to handle liability issues?

• Download a parent consent form at
  www.agclassroom.org/ut
• Beware of negligence. Responsibility for making
  sure the farm field day is a safe place is
  absolutely necessary. Please make every effort
  to be aware of any dangers that may exist.
• Make volunteers and presenters aware that their
  guests safety is the top priority.

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Things to Watch
Encourage guests to dress appropriately
Avoid animals which have been known to spook,
bite or kick. Highly supervise activities where
students will be in close proximity to animals.
Examine all fences and animal pens
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All food and drink should be given in an area
separate from the animals
Do not let guests picnic in animal areas.
Separate lunch areas should be available
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Have your volunteers view a safety video Borrow
this one from Utah AITC
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Suggested Presentations
Dairy production, Beef production, Utah Pork
Producers mobile classroom, Wildlife habitat,
soil conservation, local ag businesses
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Seeds Feeds, Crop production, Utah Wool mobile
classroom, water demonstrations, poultry
production, hand washing stations and machinery
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Handwashing is a necessity.
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Getting Through the Field Day

• Choose a method of bringing students in and out
  of the farm that is the safest and most organized
• We Bring the Farm To You
• The Every 20-30 Minute Bus Arrival Rotation
• The Assigned Time

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The Assigned Time

• Consider sheep shearing or sheep dog
  demonstrations while waiting for the buses to
  arrive.

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• Regardless of the type of method used, more can
  be gained educationally if students can be
  instructed by a presenter for 10-15 minutes and
  then rotate through the presentations.
• Every student needs a place to sit or rest
  comfortably. Sitting increases the students
  quietness and concentration factor.

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A donated shelter. rain or shine
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• Make sure that each presenter has a booth that
  will be comfortable, in ALL weather conditions
  (heat can be as uncomfortable as cold rain).
• All presenters and tour guides should arrive at
  least an hour prior to the guests.
• Inform your local media and press, make personal
  invitations to government officials.
• Review the rotation or organizational plan with
  your tour guides and presenters prior to the
  students arrival
• Post signage for restroom and garbage facilities

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Tour Guides

• Use local FFA students

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Your field days will never improve without
allowing your participants to offer
an EVALUATION. Download a sample form from Utah
AITC www.agclassroom.org/ut
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What precautions should I take when students
visit my farm during the field day?
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Can the students have contact with my livestock
or other animals?
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Can I allow students to eat near my animals?
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Should people in Utah be worried about Foot and
Mouth Disease (FMD)?
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If I have some sick animals, when should I be
concerned about FMD, what should I do?
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Can people get FMD?
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Will Utah land/livestock owners be affected by
the Olympic visitors?
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Are FMD and Mad Cow Disease related?
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Are Utahns at risk for Mad Cow Disease?
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Could students spread Mad Cow Disease?
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Are farm field days worth the risk?
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I have more questions, whom can I call?
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• Activity kits for presenters
• Material Request Cards
• Post dates on the web site www.agclassroom.org/ut
  
• Teacher Resource Guides
• Field Guides Vol. I II
• Pencils

Stickers for each participant