Agricultural education is on the go in DeWitt, Iowa.
On a DeWitt Central FFA officer retreat in 2019, Megan Clark, who currently serves as the chapter’s vice president, introduced the idea for a project aimed at debunking myths and misconceptions about agriculture and relaying accurate information about the ag industry. She and her fellow officers decided to create a mobile agricultural education trailer that would make it possible to share their message across the DeWitt community – and beyond.
“I show cattle, and I’ve met a lot of people who have heard misinformation or seen things on social media about agriculture that aren’t true,” Clark says. “With this mobile trailer, we are sharing facts in an engaging, memorable way so that anyone who visits will walk away understanding not only how important the agriculture industry is, but also how hard producers work to feed and clothe us.”
To get the project underway, the DeWitt Central FFA applied for and secured a grant through the Grants for Growing program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company. Progress was stalled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the chapter didn’t give up on its goal. Members are excited to share their finished trailer with attendees at community events, county fairs and the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference.
“We have an incredibly supportive alumni chapter, and they completed all the wiring for the trailer,” Clark says. “We’ve also been working closely with Exhibit Farm to feature ag-based interactive elements and activities, and eventually, we hope to have enough content that we can swap things in and out. For example, we can deck out the trailer to highlight livestock for a particular event, then switch it up to focus on fresh produce.”
Although the mobile trailer is primarily geared toward children, Clark and her fellow chapter members have made sure to include elements for adults to enjoy, too.
“The trailer has a poster with animals that our guests can color in, as well as an iPad with different apps like Hay Day and Farming Simulator, where they can create their own virtual farms,” Clark says. “We also have ag trivia and outdoor elements, including a beanbag toss into a cow cutout board, and anyone who participates can win a prize. Ultimately, we want to help people of all ages develop a clearer understanding of how agriculture impacts their daily lives. If they leave feeling inspired to pursue a career in ag or become an advocate, that’s even better.”
Interested in receiving your own grant to complete a project that will grow your classroom or FFA chapter or increase agricultural awareness? Check out the Grants for Growing program at FFA.org/Grants-For-Growing.
