Hands-on learning and community partnerships came together this week as the annual Ag Safety Day returned to Wood County for a third year under the direction of Agrilife Extension Agent Lyndsey Yeager.
Students from Alba-Golden, Quitman and Hawkins schools participated in the educational event over the course of two days, rotating through a series of interactive stations focused on agriculture, nutrition, safety and emergency preparedness.
Yeager said the program featured six educational sessions along with a main session, giving students an opportunity to learn through demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Among the stations were presentations by the Master Gardeners on identifying “good bugs” and “bad bugs,” lessons about beef production from farm to table, animal safety instruction from Texas A&M Disaster Preparedness and Recovery personnel, and the Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom trailer highlighting agricultural commodities and everyday products connected to farming.
Yeager also led a station tied to Healthy Texan Week, themed “Good Food, Good Move.” Students learned about basic nutrition, healthy meal planning using MyPlate guidelines, and simple ways to make healthier food choices while staying active.
UT Health EMS personnel also participated, teaching children when and how to call 911 and what information to provide during an emergency.
According to Yeager, the event is a revival of a longtime county program that had not been held on a regular basis for several years.
“I went when I was a kid,” she said, recalling demonstrations from electric companies, firefighters and ATV safety instructors. “I thought it was important. It is important, and it’s just a fun day to get the kids out of class and towards some hands-on education.”
Yeager, who began working with AgriLife Extension in 2022, said bringing the event back was one of her goals. Rather than moving from school to school, organizers now host the event in one central location and bring students in throughout the week.
The event was made possible through support from local businesses and sponsors, including the Farm Bureau, which provided lunch for participants.