Napa Ag Day brings kids closer to farming and the land

More than 1,200 second- and third-graders attended Ag Day at the Napa Valley Expo on March 26, taking part in hands-on activities such as live animal encounters, soil and beekeeping demonstrations.

More than 1,200 second- and third-graders from across Napa County attended Ag Day at the Napa Valley Expo on March 26. The annual event, which has run for more than 20 years, brought students out of the classroom for interactive learning about agriculture and the land. Children watched demonstrations including a blacksmith forging horseshoes and a sheepdog herding a flock, examined soil and earthworms, planted sunflower seeds with compost, and observed a beehive. Organizers and volunteers described the day as designed to spark interest and build understanding of farming and environmental stewardship. What happened: - Over 1,200 second- and third-graders attended Ag Day at the Napa Valley Expo on March 26. - Event activities included a blacksmith demonstration, stock dog herding, live animal encounters with goats, sheep, chickens and horses, and hands-on planting and soil exploration. - Students observed a Tauzer Apiaries hive reported as containing over 20,000 honeybees and identified the queen bee during the presentation. - Environmental and stewardship activities included recycling games, wildlife rescue demonstrations, and building habitats such as barn owl boxes and bat houses. - Participating organizations included Napa County 4-H, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Napa Young Farmers and Ranchers, the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, and Napa Wildlife Rescue. Summary: The event gave students direct, hands-on exposure to agricultural practices and ecological connections, and organizers said it aims to help children learn why caring for land and wildlife matters. Undetermined at this time.