Cloverland and Fair Oaks elementary schools recently paid homage to agriculture in the area by each holding their Second Annual Fall Ag Day on Oct. 23.

“Since we live in an area so rich in agriculture, it’s necessary to educate our students on the importance of agriculture to our economy,” said Cloverland Ag Day chairperson Sue Moran. “In all likelihood, many Oakdale students will one day work in an Ag-related job.”

The two schools each hosted approximately 25 presenters who had either indoor or outdoor presentations. Each grade level had several presenters where the classes were on a rotation to hear each speaker. The outdoor exhibits were for students to view and in some cases, touch, animals such as ponies, calves, llamas, goats and more. The presenters also talked about topics ranging from plant production, veterinary medicine, butter-making, beekeeping, commodities, organic farming, cattle ranching, and brand inspection, just to name a few. The presenters gave details about their Ag-related jobs and also gave the kids an opportunity to ask questions.

“The students all got to experience hands-on learning through performing skills used throughout agriculture and by getting up close to animals that provide them with the meals they eat, the clothes they wear, and that is something they might never forget,” said Fair Oaks Ag Day chairperson Megan Reisz. “Ag Day provides them a better understanding of the importance of the industries represented, and agriculture as a whole.”

These agriculture appreciation days were organized by teams of teachers and were developed because of the knowledge that urban sprawl is taking more and more acres of rich California farmland. Ag Days are held at different times in various schools statewide.

Several presenters at Cloverland were either past or present Cloverland employees or parents of Cloverland students. Moran said that she tried to look within the school to get presenters for the event and that she found lots of people at the school who have an interest in agriculture.

“It takes months of planning and a good committee to organize Ag Day,” Moran said. “Multiple presenters must be found for each grade level, animals for viewing, supplying lunch for the presenters and staff, gifts for presenters and lots of other details. We are fortunate that our district supports Ag Day.”

Magnolia is the first elementary school in the district to hold an Ag Day, holding it in the late spring for the past several years. Sierra View also holds a springtime Ag Day.