In an effort to teach children about farming and the importance of the agricultural industry, the Catawba County Cooperative Extension teamed up with local farmers for a kid-centric event.
As part of the Cooperative Extension’s Eat Drink Be Local week, a special Kids Corner was set up at the Downtown Hickory Farmers Market in Hickory, North Carolina. The event was designed to help kids learn more about where their food really comes from by having local farmers on hand to answer questions and host fun activities such as a fruit and vegetable scavenger hunt. As NC Cooperative Extension Horticulture-Local Foods agent April Vigardt explains, "I think right now we’re experiencing people having a disconnect between who grows their food and where the food actually comes from."
With a larger event planned as part of the Cooperative Extension’s summer camp program, the farmer's market event demonstrates how parents can introduce their kids to concepts such as how food is grown in a more fun and accessible way.
What's Driving This Trend
- Agriculture Education for Kids
- There is potential for developing more events and educational programs that teach kids about farming and agriculture in a fun and accessible way.
- Local Food Awareness
- More initiatives could be created to raise awareness among consumers, especially kids, about the importance of buying and eating locally-sourced food.
- Farm-to-table Movement
- The trend towards local and sustainable food systems could be extended to include more farm-to-table events and experiences for children.
Who This Affects Most
- Agriculture & Farming
- As the demand for locally-sourced food increases, there is a growing need for farmers and agricultural businesses to engage with the public and educate them on how food is grown.
- Education & Non-profit
- There is potential for education and non-profit organizations to collaborate with local farmers to create more educational events and programs for children.
- Event Planning & Marketing
- The rise in demand for farm-themed events for kids presents opportunities for event planning and marketing companies to develop new and innovative ideas.
