Event connects 9th-12th graders with hands-on agriculture education and post-secondary opportunities

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 4-5, at the Northwest Iowa Research Farm near Sutherland.
Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days engage high school students in hands-on agriculture education while also showcasing careers in agriculture and connecting students with post-secondary opportunities and business and industry leaders.
“Precision Ag and Animal Science Days encourage Northwest Iowa high schoolers to take a look at the many career avenues agriculture offers in Iowa and nationwide,” said Beth Bunkers, local youth program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Students take part in real-life career exploration and make connections with individuals who can help them after high school, whether that be in college or the job market. The connections students make can guide them in making career choices and even finding a full-time job or internship.”
Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days received the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Seal of Approval in 2017 and each year, event coordinators strive to make improvements and changes to the event.
Precision agriculture, biosecurity and the poultry industry are the focuses of this year’s event.
“Agriculture is ever-changing, which means that ag careers are constantly changing also,” Bunkers said. “Traditional ag careers have evolved with developments in technology, marketing, biosecurity and more. We strive to show students that no matter their strengths, interests, or skillsets, they can find a great job in agriculture or a related field, and they can find it here in Northwest Iowa.”
One hundred fifty high schoolers are invited to attend the event each day, for a total of approximately 300 youth participants during the two-day period.
Students will take part in a variety of activities. Each day, there will be 12 different hands-on presentations between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., with a keynote speaker during the noon lunch. Keynote speakers this year include ISU Extension and Outreach Poultry Veterinarian Dr. Yuko Sato on Wednesday and ISU Extension and Outreach Vice President Dr. Jason Henderson on Thursday.
Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days are hosted for participating schools and students at no charge thanks to generous community partners and volunteers.
“We could not host this event without our collegiate and industry partners who volunteer their time to come and host educational sessions for students,” Bunkers said. “A sincere thank you to all of them.”
To view photos and recaps from the 2024 event, follow ISU Extension and Outreach O’Brien County on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ISUExtensionandOutreachOBrienCounty).
For more information about the event and/or to get involved, contact Bunkers at 712-737-4230 or bbunkers@iastate.edu or Morgan Busack, O’Brien County K-12 Program Coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach, at 712-957-5045 or mbusack@iastate.edu .