Kentucky’s All In for Ag Education Week returns Sept. 21-25 with a statewide focus on farm safety and hands-on agricultural education. Held in conjunction with National Farm Safety Week, this year’s initiative will bring farm safety lessons into classrooms and communities across the Commonwealth while helping students better understand the role agriculture plays in their everyday lives.
More than 700 public elementary schools across Kentucky will receive Farm Adventures with Willie B., a new book featuring the mascot of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Raising Hope program. Schools will also receive a Willie B. stuffed dog and standards-based literacy lessons for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Through Willie B.’s adventures, students will learn about Kentucky agriculture while thinking through the choices that can help keep them safe on and around farms.
Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell will launch the week Monday, Sept. 21, with more than 600 fifth grade students from Jessamine County Schools. Events will continue throughout the week in communities across Kentucky, including classroom visits, farm safety demonstrations, student-led agriculture programs, and virtual learning opportunities.
“The future of Kentucky agriculture is in classrooms across the Commonwealth today,” Commissioner Shell said. “All In for Ag Education Week is about helping those students see the opportunities in agriculture, understand the role it plays in their lives, and learn the habits that will keep them safe for years to come.”
Members of the media are invited to attend any events throughout the week but are asked to indicate which stops they plan to cover by emailing Atley.Smedley@ky.gov.
September 21
9 a.m. Monday | Ag Education Week Kickoff and Press Conference
Jessamine Career & Technology Center
881 Wilmore Road
Nicholasville Ky. 40356
More than 600 Jessamine County fifth-grade students will help kick off All In for Ag Education Week alongside Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, and Education Commissioner Dr. Robbie Fletcher. Following the program, students will rotate through hands-on farm equipment, safety, first responder, and agricultural education stations as part of Jessamine County’s Touch-A-Tractor and Safety Event.
1 p.m. Monday | Ask an Aggie: Virtual Agribusiness Tour and Q&A Panel
Meade Tractor of Richmond
908 Commercial Drive.
Richmond, Ky. 40475
Kentucky K-12 students will go behind the scenes at Meade Tractor during a live virtual field trip focused on farm equipment, agricultural careers, and safety around large machinery. Following the tour, students will have the opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A with Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, Education Commissioner Dr. Robbie Fletcher, farm equipment experts, and young professionals working in the agriculture industry. Watch live here.
September 22
9 a.m. Tuesday | Willie B. Read-aloud with Willie B. Mascot
Paint Lick Elementary School
6798 Richmond Road
Lancaster, Ky. 40444
Commissioner Shell and Willie B. will greet students at the start of the school day before joining local farmers and agriculture leaders in classrooms to read Farm Adventures with Willie B. and talk with students about agriculture and farm safety.
1 p.m. Tuesday | Ag Day at the Fairgrounds
Lawrence County Fairgrounds
545 Pine Hill Road
Louisa, Ky. 41230
Lawrence County middle and high school students will take the lead in teaching younger students about agriculture and farm safety. Elementary students will rotate through interactive stations led by older students, learning about equipment safety, agricultural practices, and how to stay safe on and around farms.
September 23
9 a.m. Wednesday | Farmer Appreciation Day
The Center for Rural Development
2292 U.S. 27 South, Suite 300
Somerset, Ky. 42501
A daylong celebration recognizing Kentucky farmers and the role they play in feeding, supporting, and strengthening communities across the Commonwealth. Programming will include a showing of Perfect Sunday, a statewide blood drive, farmer appreciation awards, and an agriculture and healthcare career fair. A live feed will also be available for middle and high school classrooms across Kentucky.
11 a.m. Wednesday | Farmers’ Appreciation Awards Ceremony
Center for Rural Development
2292 U.S. 27 South, Suite 300
Somerset, Ky. 42501
Kentucky farmers and agricultural leaders will be recognized for their service, leadership, and contributions to their communities and the Commonwealth. Commissioner Shell will also announce the Farmer of the Year Award.
12:30 p.m. Wednesday | Willie B. classroom visit
Pulaski County Elementary School
107 W. University Drive, Basecamp 1
Somerset, Ky. 42503
Commissioner Shell boards the bus with Pulaski County FFA members to visit elementary students for a reading of Farm Adventures with Willie B. and a conversation about agriculture and farm safety. Students will also receive Raising Hope safety trading cards as part of the classroom visit. The stop highlights the role FFA members can play in introducing younger students to agriculture and building the next generation of agricultural leaders.
6 p.m. Wednesday | A Night to Remember Dale Dobson
Center for Rural Development
2292 U.S. 27 South, Suite 300
Somerset, Ky. 42501
Kentucky’s agriculture community will come together to remember the life and legacy of Dale Dobson and his decades of work on behalf of farmers, farm families, first responders, and rural communities. The program will highlight Dobson’s lasting impact on farm safety, rescue training, rural health, and farmer mental health across Kentucky.
September 24
9 a.m. Thursday | Gallatin/Grant County Farm Bureau Farm Safety Day
Gallatin County Fairgrounds
4476 U.S. 127
Glencoe, Ky. 41046
Farmers and community leaders will host a hands-on farm equipment and safety day for area high school students. Students will rotate through demonstrations focused on safe practices around farms and agricultural machinery.
2 p.m. Thursday | Ag education classroom visit
Northern Elementary School
925 Highway 177
Butler, Ky. 41006
Commissioner Shell, Miss Kentucky Reagan Earlywine, and agriculture partners will visit Northern Elementary classrooms to read with students, talk about Kentucky agriculture, and share lessons from Farm Adventures with Willie B.
September 25
9 a.m. CDT Friday | Ag education classroom visit
Lewisburg Elementary
750 Stacker St.
Lewisburg, Ky. 42256
Commissioner Shell and Miss Kentucky will visit classrooms to read with students and talk about Kentucky agriculture, farm safety, and the role farming plays in everyday life.
11:15 a.m. CDT Friday | Ag education classroom visit
Morgantown Elementary
210 Cemetery St.
Morgantown, Ky. 42261
Commissioner Shell and Miss Kentucky will visit elementary classrooms for a read-aloud and conversation with students about Kentucky agriculture, and farm safety.