California, USA
November 5, 2013
Throughout Monterey County, local school districts are facing difficult budget problems. Programs, service and ‘non-essential’ positions are being cut from the budget. Many school districts have totally eliminated student field trips, focusing funds on higher priority needs. However, all Monterey County schools are assured to have access to one very special field trip - at absolutely no cost to schools or districts - THE FARM DAY EXPERIENCE.
Nunhems’ Salad Team Crop Sales Specialist Jerry Vosti educates 3rd graders about the Ag industry. This Jerry’s 10th year presenting at Monterey County’s Farm Day.
Monterey County Agricultural Education has been an active advocate for agriculture since the mid-1980s. It has gained local, state and national recognition for the quality and extent of its programs. Annually, the agricultural industry of Monterey County (including Nunhems) comes together to provide an outstanding educational enrichment program for all third graders in the county. This program is a successful example of business, industry and community joining with education for the benefit of students; it is also unique in the United States. The respect for The Farm Day Experience by agriculturalists throughout the state is especially noteworthy.
The Farm Day Experience is MCAEs primary program and in the first twenty years the program has reached approximately 130,000 third graders, 26,000 parents (as chaperones) and hundreds of third grade teachers in Monterey County. During each school year, every third grade class in Monterey County is invited to attend one of three events, reaching approximately 6500 students annually.
Third-graders from Elkhorn School get up close to sheep and goats at Farm Day at the Monterey Fairgrounds on October 24, 2013.
Nunhems own Jerry Vosti has been participating in the Farm Day for 15 years with this year being his 10th year as a presenter.
“Farm Day gives all of us in the ag industry a chance to come together and give both students and especially teachers a short course in farming. Including, where and how their food arrives at their local supermarket. It is amazing to me the interest in this industry by the children, parents and teachers. It is wonderful to see our youth taking a interest in agriculture. This day is true example of some parts of education that are missing from a school’s curriculum. At the end of the day you can feel some comfort that the students and teachers understand a little bit more about the Ag industry, and at best, maybe perk some young mind's interest to consider this as a future career. “
Carmel River School third-graders look over earthworms at Farm Day.
About Nunhems
The vegetable seed business of Bayer CropScience operates under the brand Nunhems. Nunhems is the global specialist in vegetable genetics and services. As a globally integrated group of teams Nunhems builds unique customer relationships and shares products, concepts and expertise with the professional horticultural production industry and supply chain. The portfolio of Nunhems consists of varieties of 28 vegetable crops, including leading varieties of carrot, cucumber, leek, lettuce, melon, onion, pepper, tomato, and watermelon. With more than 1,800 employees, Nunhems is present in all major vegetable production areas in the world.
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