The first annual 5th Grade Ag Day in Renville County gave students a hands-on look at the farms, businesses, careers, technology, and people that make agriculture part of everyday life.
Hosted by Farm Camp Minnesota, a program of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom, the event welcomed more than 110 fifth grade students and nearly 40 volunteers to the Renville County Fairgrounds and local agriculture stops. Students from area schools, including Renville County West, St. Mary’s Bird Island, BOLD, and Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart, spent the day learning directly from farmers, ag professionals, FFA students, volunteers, and community leaders.
The goal was simple: help students see that agriculture is more than farming. It is food, fuel, fiber, natural resources, technology, safety, science, business, and careers right in their own community.
What is 5th Grade Ag Day?
5th Grade Ag Day is part of the Farm Camp Minnesota model, which connects classroom learning with real-world agriculture experiences. Before the event, educators were encouraged to use Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom lessons such as Beef Basics, From Soybeans to Car Parts, and High-Tech Farming to prepare students for what they would see during the day.
That classroom connection helped students arrive ready to ask questions, make observations, and connect agriculture to their daily lives.
Students began the day by visiting local agriculture sites and then gathered at the Renville County Fairgrounds in Bird Island for lunch and afternoon learning stations. The event included farm and business tours, safety demonstrations, agriculture technology, crop education, equipment exploration, and career conversations.
Local Agriculture Came to Life
Throughout the day, students explored a wide variety of agriculture topics and careers. Tour stops included:
- Nathan Serbus Farms
- Beck’s Hybrids - Olivia
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Minnesota NRCS Grazing Trailer
Students also rotated through stations hosted by local businesses, organizations, and FFA chapters, including:
- Remington Seeds - Olivia Bean Plants
- Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative
- Kibble Equipment - Bird Island
- Mountain View Ag - Jake Melhouse
- Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart FFA
- Renville County West FFA Chapter
- Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence
From climbing into equipment to learning about grain bin rescue, students were able to see agriculture careers in action.
One AgHost shared, “This is a great way to show these kids all of the businesses and careers in the community.”
Another reflected on one of the students’ favorite moments, saying, “It’s always fun to hear how much they think equipment costs!”
Students guessed that an $800,000 tractor cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000. Their reactions said it all when they learned that a combine can cost around $1,000,000, and that is before adding the heads needed to harvest crops.
Students Discovered Agriculture Everywhere
One of the strongest takeaways from the day was that agriculture shows up in more places than students expected.
After the Farm Camp experience, early post-event survey responses showed that many students could identify agriculture in food, equipment, technology, natural resources, and everyday products. Students were especially surprised to learn about corn-based products, soybean uses, sugar beets, grazing, drones, and farm safety.
Student responses included:
“I loved it. I know so much more about agriculture.”
“I was surprised that everything you do has something to do with agriculture.”
“I was surprised about all the new stuff I learned!”
“The plastic bag we saw was made of corn.”
“Technology is getting smarter, and some tractors can drive without someone in it.”
Many students also shared that their favorite parts of the day included the NRCS grazing activity, grain bin rescue demonstration, drone, tractors, equipment, and hands-on stations.
Agriculture Careers Were Front and Center
A major focus of 5th Grade Ag Day in Renville County was career exploration. Students learned that agriculture includes far more than one job title. They met people working in crop production, seed, equipment, conservation, sugar beet processing, agronomy, livestock, technology, education, safety, and leadership.
Before the event, some students were unsure whether they could name five agriculture careers in the world or in their own community. After the experience, students were better able to describe roles connected to equipment, drones, seeds, sugar beets, soybeans, corn, livestock, conservation, and safety.
One student shared that they learned “there are a lot of jobs” in agriculture. Another said they could explain “how drones work” and how they are used in farming.
For many students, the day helped connect what they see in fields, farms, businesses, and grocery stores to real career opportunities close to home.
Hands-On Learning Made the Difference
The day was filled with moments students could see, touch, ask about, and remember.
They learned how drones are used in agriculture. They explored how large equipment works. They discovered how corn, soybeans, and sugar beets become everyday products. They learned why grain bin safety matters. They sorted, tasted, observed, climbed, asked questions, and made connections.
One student said their favorite part was “meeting new people and learning something new.”
Another said they would want to do another Farm Camp experience “because I learned so much stuff. That is why agriculture is important to our lives.”
That kind of curiosity is exactly why Farm Camp Minnesota continues to build hands-on agriculture experiences for students.
A Community Effort Worth Celebrating
The first annual 5th Grade Ag Day in Renville County was made possible because of strong community support, alongside critical statewide backing. We are deeply grateful to the MAITC Investors who make Farm Camp Minnesota experiences possible and sustain the FC Transportation Grants.
We want to recognize the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council—thanks to their generous investment, Farm Camp Minnesota proudly offers critical funding opportunities for grades 5–12 classrooms across the state. Their commitment ensures that no Farm Camp is ever canceled due to a lack of transportation funding!
A special thank you goes to Farm Camp Minnesota Program Director Brandi Wulkan, who coordinated the event and helped bring together schools, volunteers, hosts, and partners.
Thank you also to the Renville County Farm Bureau, which helped volunteer and sponsored lunch for educators, bus drivers, chaperones, and volunteers. Renville County Farm Bureau members and supporters who helped make the day possible included:
- Doug Olinger, President
- Randy Kramer, Vice President
- Carlton “Chuck” Gustafson
- Amanda Revier
Thank you also to Robin Kinney, Director of Member Relations at Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, for supporting the event.
Educators and volunteers played an important role throughout the day by guiding students, encouraging questions, and helping make each station meaningful. One educator shared:
“Thank you for this! It was a wonderful day! I am so happy to be doing it again!”
— Maci Markfort, 5th grade teacher at RCW
AgHosts were also excited about the event and already began thinking about ways to improve and prepare for next year.
DJ from Remington Seeds - Olivia Bean Plants shared:
“Thank you again for a fantastic day! It was a lot of fun and was very well set up. Thanks again for asking us to be a part of it! We would love to come back next year. I really enjoy supporting Ag and helping teach kids!”
Why 5th Grade Ag Day Matters
Events like 5th Grade Ag Day help students understand that agriculture is not something far away. It is part of their school lunch, their clothing, the roads they travel, the businesses in their community, the technology shaping the future, and the careers they may one day choose.
For students who live on farms, the day offered a chance to see familiar work through new eyes. For students who are less connected to agriculture, it opened the door to new questions and possibilities.
Most importantly, it showed students that agriculture is powered by people who care about their communities and want to share what they know.
The first annual 5th Grade Ag Day in Renville County was a strong beginning. With enthusiastic educators, engaged students, dedicated volunteers, and committed agriculture partners, this event is already growing into an annual tradition.