East Grand Forks High School ninth grade students explored the many careers connected to agriculture during the East Grand Forks 9th Grade Ag Day on April 27, 2026, at Heritage Village. Hosted through Farm Camp Minnesota, a program of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, the experience introduced students to agriculture careers in their community while showing how technology, science, and business all play an important role in modern agriculture.
From Classroom Learning to Career Exploration
Students spent the day rotating through hands-on activities led by local agriculture businesses and organizations, including American Crystal Sugar, True North Equipment, Northland Community & Technical College, and the University of Minnesota Crookston. Through activities like a pig birth simulation, a seed game, American Crystal Sugar Jeopardy, and discussions about precision agriculture, students discovered that agriculture includes far more than farming.
Many students were surprised by the variety of careers available, the amount of technology used throughout the industry, and how many people are involved in producing everyday foods. Students shared they learned about how self-driving tractors work, how sugar is produced, how GPS supports farming, and why agriculture impacts everyone's daily life.
Transportation Support Helped Make the Experience Possible
This East Grand Forks 9th Grade Ag Day was made possible in part by a Transportation Grant. The grant helped cover bus transportation costs thanks to investors with the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, making hands-on agriculture learning experiences possible for students across Minnesota.
Growing Student Understanding
The experience helped students better recognize the wide range of careers available within agriculture. Before the event, 31.9% of students said they could name at least five agricultural careers in their community. After participating in Farm Camp, that number increased to 77.8%.
Students also gained a stronger understanding of the agriculture industry. Before the event, 51.1% reported being at least somewhat knowledgeable about the industries they would experience. Afterward, 94.4% said they were at least somewhat knowledgeable.
When asked if they would participate in another Farm Camp experience, many students said yes.
One student shared, "There are more careers in agriculture than many people probably know about, and I would like to learn more about agriculture careers."
Why Farm Camp Matters
Farm Camp Minnesota connects students to agriculture through pre-event classroom lessons, hands-on farm or agribusiness experiences, and post-visit reflection or career connections.
This East Grand Forks 9th Grade Ag Day helped students discover that agriculture includes careers in technology, engineering, manufacturing, education, and business, while showing how those careers work together to support the food system and communities across Minnesota.
To learn more about Farm Camp Minnesota or get connected with agriculture education opportunities, visit https://farmcampminnesota.org/connect-me/.