Ag Connect: Connecting Fields to Front Doors
Agricultural Issues
Lindsey Crum
Extension Agent III, MS
HENDRY COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
LABELLE
Abstract
Ag Connect: Connecting Fields to Front Doors is a comprehensive agricultural awareness program designed to educate urban citizens in Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties about the critical ecosystem services provided by agricultural land, incorporating beef into a healthy diet, and beef by-products. The program integrates multiple events to maximize impact, targeting diverse audiences from schoolchildren to policymakers. Its primary objectives are to increase knowledge of how ranches contribute to wildlife habitat, clean water through filtration, air purification via diverse plant populations, and wildfire prevention through grazing. Key activities include: Farm City Tours: Biannual tours engaging 456 urban residents on a working beef cattle ranch with a cattle handling demonstration and thoughtful stops showcasing 2 Bald Eagle nests and wetlands providing valuable space for migratory birds while filtering water before it reaches public waterways. FGCU Nurse Tours: Quarterly tours for 60 nursing students, linking ag related injuries they may see in their future profession to a demonstration of hard working agriculturalists producing their food, fiber, construction materials, and fermented alcoholic beverages. Legislator Tours: Biannual ranch visits for 50 U.S. legislators and aides, influencing policy through firsthand exposure to ranch contributions. AgVenture: An annual event educating 3,250 4th-grade students across four counties with hands-on learning about cattle ranching. Adopt A Cowboy: Reaching 6,814 elementary students to teach ranching culture and its ecological impacts. Sweetheart Committee: Training beef ambassadors, 5 annually, to promote the beef industry through engaging presentations. With an annual reach of approximately 10,635 participants, Ag Connect achieves significant impact. Evaluation through surveys and pre-post tests reveals a 71% average knowledge increase among elementary students, a 90% satisfaction rate among nurses, and 75% of legislators finding the insights valuable for policy decisions. The program fosters a deeper appreciation for agriculture’s role in sustainable ecosystems, shifting attitudes and enhancing community support. Through innovative strategies such as experiential learning, policy engagement, and diverse audience targeting, Ag Connect bridges the urban-rural divide, elevating public understanding of agriculture’s environmental contributions.
Authors: Lindsey Crum
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Lindsey Crum Extension Agent III, MS, UF/IFAS, Florida, 33935