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Minnesota first in nation to offer Science of Ag program

Minnesota is the first state in the country to offer the Science of Ag program.

Extension educator Josh Rice says it is geared toward 4-H’ers with an eye on the future.

“Their involvement in 4-H can lead them to college or trade school, and into an agriculturally-related career.”  He says the youth work on teams of three to four in sixth grade and above.  “They identify a real existing agriculture issue within their community.  Then they work with agriculture business and industry professionals to come up with a potential solution.”

This is the second year for the program in Minnesota.

Rice tells Brownfield the 4-H partnership with CME Group for Commodity Carnival at the State Fair fits in well.

“We show the youth and the adults who are in the barns that raising a hog is not as simple as it seems.  You have to take a lot of things into account: nutrition, vet bills, transportation and marketing the animal.”

He says the hands-on learning experience provides a view of what farmers go through on a day-to-day basis.