31st Alexander Environmental Field Days held
The Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District held its 31st Annual Environmental Field Days on October 15-16 at H&H Arena and Herman Dairy Farm at 533 Ned Herman Road in Taylorsville, according to Gary Herman, the Public Information Officer for Alexander County.
Approximately 310 fifth-grade students and their teachers from seven public elementary schools and one Christian school participated in the annual event. Soil & Water Director Pamela Bowman said the main purpose of the field days is to increase the students’ understanding of natural resources, conservation, and agriculture. In addition, students were made aware of current environmental concerns and career opportunities.
During the event, participants visited nine environmental stations located on the grounds of H&H Arena, where they learned unique information and viewed hands-on demonstrations. The students also enjoyed a locally-grown apple and a cheese stick, both donated by local sponsors.
“The Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors and staff believe that this type of hands-on education is essential for the conservation of our natural resources and is important in sustaining a positive attitude towards agriculture,” said Bowman. Learning stations included weather, livestock production, the soil & water poster contest theme, geographic information systems (GIS) in agriculture, groundwater, wildlife, forestry, soils, and plants/pollinators. The Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District expresses its appreciation to the following sponsors: Herman Dairy Farm, The Dairy Alliance, Perry Lowe Orchards, New South Tractor of Newton, and Chapman Jersey Farm LLC.
In addition, the Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District is thankful for all the station presenters and volunteers including several Alexander Central High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) students, Alexander County Cooperative Extension, Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Caldwell SWCD, Wilkes SWCD, Alexander County GIS and 911 Addressing, Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area, NC Forest Service, and Tuttle Educational State Forest.”
This event is always attended annually by fifth graders from across the county. Joshua Moore from Dani Simpson’s class at Hiddenite Elementary said his favorite part of the day was meeting the park rangers and seeing the live snakes. Joselyn Elliot, also from Hiddenite Elementary, said she also loved seeing the snakes and lizards at the wildlife station. Another student chimed in that he enjoyed petting the cow.
The children enjoyed the hands-on experiences on a perfect weather day for this event. It’s a great way to showcase the importance agriculture plays in the economy of Alexander County to young learners and to inspire interest in some who may want to pursue it as a possible career.
