At Potosi High School, Ms. Brunton hosts an Elementary Ag Day each year behind the school for local students. This event is designed to give younger children a hands-on introduction to agriculture and animal science in a fun, safe, and interactive environment. Many students involved in FFA and agriculture classes help organize and participate by bringing a wide variety of their own animals, including rabbits, goats, horses, calves, and other livestock.
From about 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., elementary students visit in 45-minute rotations so they can spend time petting, observing, and learning about the animals. Throughout the day, young students also have the chance to ask questions and learn basic information about animal care, farm life, and safety from the high school students. The goal is to help children build respect and understanding for animals, especially those they may not normally see in their everyday lives.
Sarah Mayer brought meat and dairy goats to the event. She believes strongly that Ag Day is an important tradition because, as she said, “It gives kids a chance to see animals, especially if they don’t live on a farm.” By bringing her goats, Mayer hoped to give students a close-up experience with livestock while also teaching them how animals are raised and cared for in agriculture.
Mayer also hopes the event inspires younger students to become more involved in agriculture in the future, whether through FFA or 4-H. She believes that early exposure to animals and farm life can spark interest in agricultural careers and help students develop responsibility and curiosity about the natural world. In addition, she encourages students to consider joining agriculture programs so they can continue learning beyond just one event.
Mayer feels that Ag Day is more than just a fun experience; “it is an educational opportunity that teaches safety, respect, and awareness around animals.” She also hopes that Potosi High School continues this tradition for many years so future students can benefit from the same hands-on learning experiences and connections to agriculture.
Ava White brought several animals to the event, including a lamb, a pony, two turkeys (a hen and a tom), and two geese (a gander and a goose). Her goal in bringing these animals was to help educate children about different types of livestock and proper animal care. White explained that her goal was also “To educate the kids on animals and safety with animals,” emphasizing the importance of teaching young students how to behave respectfully and safely around animals, especially larger animals like horses and ponies.
White also highlighted that many children may not have regular access to farm animals, so events like Ag Day give them a unique opportunity to learn in a real, hands-on way. She believes that experiences like petting, observing, and asking questions about animals help build both knowledge and confidence for the younger students. In her opinion, this kind of learning is much more meaningful than just reading about animals in a classroom.
White feels strongly that Ag Day should continue as a long-standing tradition at Potosi. She hopes it encourages more students to become interested in agriculture, whether through FFA, 4-H, or future careers in the agriculture field. Overall, she believes the event not only teaches animal safety and responsibility but also helps strengthen the connection between students and the agricultural community.