Ag Awareness Day '08 will be held on Friday, September 12^th at the Ogle County Fairgrounds in Oregon, IL. The day is designed to broaden students' perspectives about the impact agriculture has on their daily lives.

Ag Awareness Day '08 will feature interactive hands-on workshops by a number of agricultural experts.Workshops will be 40 minutes each. Participating classrooms will attend up to five workshops during the day depending on their arrival and departure time requirements. Homeschool students may register individually.

Students will be expected to bring sack lunches with beverages and backpacks to carry workshop materials they receive.

The registration deadline for this event is June 1, 2008. Contact the Extension office for sign-up information. A minimum of eight participating classrooms will be needed in order for us to hold this event. A maximum of fourteen classrooms will be accepted. Registrations will be taken on a first come, first reserve basis. Confirmation letters will be mailed to participating classrooms in early July. Final event information (including schedules) will be mailed the third week of August.

NEVER PARTICIPATED IN AG AWARENESS DAY BEFORE?

If you've never participated in Ag Awareness Day in the past, please give it some consideration. This is an unforgettable day for students! In past years, students have had the opportunity to net insects for identification; candle eggs; analyze soil layers; shear sheep; role play the daily care activities of farmers; isolate strands of DNA; milk cows; observe honey bee behavior; study the operational systems of a modern combine; track GPS way points; talk with fish conservationists; and step through the various roles of a veterinarian.

This was one of the best prepared events I have attended in my 33 years of teaching. To be able to just watch my students learn was a rewarding day for me. --Participating '03 educator

This is a very worthwhile event. Very appropriate to our age group and community. Students respond to the hands-on activities! --Participating '05 educator

Illinois Learning Standards typically addressed at Ag Awareness Day include:

12A. Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt, and change.

12B. Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.

12E. Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the earth and its resources.

13A. Know and apply the accepted practices of sciences.

13B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology, and society.

15A. Understand how different economic systems operate in the exchange, production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

18B. Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society.

SE3A. Consider ethical, safety, and societal factors in making decisions.