“Where do hamburgers come from?”

“The grocery store?”

Despite Iowa’s agricultural heritage, many of the state’s children are familiar with farms only as images through a car window.

For the past 19 years, Youth Environmental Agriculture Days have helped children in the region develop an understanding of the impact of agriculture upon the environment, their everyday lives, and health and safety.

Youth Environmental Agriculture Days provides opportunities to experience the biotechnology side of agriculture, understand by-products, appreciate importance of value-added agriculture to Iowa’s economy and job market, become aware of agriculture-related careers available in Iowa, learn about Iowa’s natural resources, and practice sun safety.

The program is developed and sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Hamilton, Webster, Wright and Humboldt counties.

This year, 400 fifth-graders from classrooms in Hamilton, Humboldt, Webster and Wright counties participated in the program, which is held at the Wright County Fairgrounds in Eagle Grove. The program is held over three days, concluding today.

The Messenger congratulates the organizers of this worthwhile event on another successful year.