Henry County Conservation providing virtual educational opportunities during fair week

MT. PLEASANT - Though Kid's Day at the Henry County Fair has been canceled this year, it doesn't mean youth in the county won't have an opportunity to learn about animals and wildlife.

AmeriCorps member Brett Baccam, who works with Henry County Conservation, will be creating posters, available virtually the week of the fair, with a 'Livestock Through the Ages” theme. The posters also will be hung around the fairgrounds show ring for people to take pictures and do activities at home.

Baccam said in a usual year, he would have a stand set up on the fairgrounds as an educational opportunity for younger audiences. Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the fair board's decision to close the annual event to the public, Baccam has had to pivot and adjust his plans.

'It's been quite the journey. We're trying to figure out how to transfer the programs online and to a paper-to-person format. We're adjusting our tactics to make sure lessons are easily understandable but still challenging so that kids stay interested,” he said.

This year, Baccam is hoping to expose kids to agricultural practices through time, 'starting at the beginning of civilization up to modern day practices,” he explained.

'I started brainstorming with our department's naturalist at the beginning of summer and because we're in a very ag-heavy area, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to teach kids how we got to how we are today,” Baccam explained.

The posters will not only include information about how the technology and techniques of agriculture have changed through time, but also will include crafts, that will encourage kids to use natural resources such as sticks, rocks and recycled materials.

'The crafts are so kids can build visual education material and have a more hands-on experience. It helps them visualize what they're learning,” Baccam added.

Some crafts may include creating miniature versions of ancient farming tools, representations of fertilization as well as modern machinery, such as tractors and grain bins.

Baccam added he hopes his poster and program also will ignite some interest in agriculture in younger people.

'In today's time, it feels like people are not as interested or agriculture isn't as popular as a job, but it's one of the most important things to know about. It's where most of our families started,” he said, 'Also, agriculture practices go beyond production. It can go into conservation and environmental education.”