(PASO ROBLES, CA) – More than 1200 fourth graders from throughout San Luis Obispo County will converge together for a large-scale, interactive day of agricultural learning and fun. This year marks the 16th annual Great AGventure, scheduled for Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at the Paso Robles Events Center in Paso Robles, California. The event is coordinated and presented by the San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Education Committee.
Students from 22 different county schools, both public and private, are registered to participate in the October event. These students are accompanied by 100+ teachers and chaperones. “The size, scope and impressive interest from both presenters and teachers alike makes it easily the largest agricultural education showcase of its type hosted within San Luis Obispo County,” says Kimberly Bradley, executive director of the San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Education Committee.
Each of the 45 classes enrolled to participate will be escorted through an arena event and five additional 20-minute presentations presented by professional industry volunteers who are involved in various aspects of agriculture. Farm equipment, animals, crops, science and an “AG-tivity” will be presented to each class.
“The presentations are designed to be as interactive as possible,” said Bradley, “giving the students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, making the event both impressive and enlightening. This event is presented as a fun, yet educational experience for the students – something they will remember for years to come.”
This unique educational opportunity is made possible by the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust, making the entire program free to local schools, including transportation costs. Additional sponsors include the San Luis Obispo Co. Cattlemen and CattleWomen’s Associations, the Paso Robles Chamber Agri-Business Committee, San Luis Obispo Co. Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, Umpqua Bank, Paso Robles Events Center and San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau.
Nearly 20,000 students have gone through this program in the past 16 years. The program’s emphasis is to demonstrate the importance of agriculture in everyone’s life and to develop an understanding about the county’s vital agricultural industry.“Although we live in a county with agricultural abundance, most kids do not get exposed to the opportunity to learn more about it,” said Brandon Wiebe, president of the San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Education Committee. “Presenting the Great AGventure to students gives us that invaluable opportunity.”
