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Mark your calendars and join us at AgMagic.
April 21-25, 2008
Open to school groups and organizations, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 26-27, 2008
Open to public, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
John M. Parker Coliseum
located on Highland near the south gates of LSU
Every April for the past five years, Parker Coliseum on the LSU AgCenter campus in Baton Rouge has been transformed into a wonderland of agriculture. Called AgMagic, this week-long event is designed to teach children – and anybody else – about where their food comes from.
This year from April 21-27, there will be a whole lot of mooing, baaing and oinking going on once again in Parker. Fish will be swimming, crawfish crawling and butterflies flying. Kids will learn that milk comes from cows, not the grocery store.
“Today’s children are at least a couple of generations removed from the farm,” said Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. “They think their food comes from the grocery store. They don’t have the opportunity to be on a farm. We’re trying to help them understand the importance of the agricultural industry here in Louisiana and in their daily lives.”
AgMagic provides an interactive, visually stimulating journey through the state’s agricultural world – linking food and fiber products we use everyday to the forests, lakes, rivers and fields where they are produced by farmers, ranchers and forest landowners across Louisiana.
4-H celebrates 100th birthday
A new section in this year’s AgMagic experience will focus on the Louisiana 4-H youth development program and its centennial year of serving the state’s young people.
4-H is the youth development and outreach program of the nation’s land-grant universities, and it is coordinated in Louisiana by the LSU AgCenter. It helps young people develop knowledge and skills that will benefit them, their families and their communities throughout their lives.
The 4-H exhibit at AgMagic will show the evolution of the Louisiana program from its origin as a Corn Club in 1908 to today’s educational projects ranging from computer science to raising livestock.
In addition to the 4-H section, other features include:
Bugs Rule is a popular area of exhibits and activities that demonstrate the role insects play in agriculture and the environment. It includes a new butterfly exhibit and a chance for participants to see a variety of live bugs up close, as well as a chance for them to make their own "bug rubbings."
Animals Produce For You will be an educational area that includes chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, dairy cattle and beef cattle. It will give participants a chance to see what animals eat and the products the livestock industry provides. Visitors also will see eggs hatching in an incubator.
Plant Products will include a look at cotton, rice, sugarcane and sweet potatoes. It also will provide a look at how vegetables are grown and will include a new coastal plants display. As part of the interactive exhibit, visitors can learn the origin of products they consume – that ketchup comes from tomatoes, clothes are made from cotton, candy comes from sugarcane and more.
Farming the Waters will feature live catfish, crawfish, alligators, turtles, ornamental fish and more. Viewing stations will allow visitors to see both habitats and products, and visitors will learn how you "farm" aquatic life.
The World of Wonder will focus on forests, forest products and wildlife. Its simulated forest will illustrate the abundance of natural resources found in our state. Smokey Bear will teach visitors how to protect the environment, and a variety of forest products will show what comes from the state’s largest agricultural industry – forestry. This area also will include a chance for visitors to view the root system of a tree, to see types of wood under
A Body Walk will be set up in the nearby Mini Farm Building. This is an interactive educational exhibit designed to help children understand what the food they eat does inside their bodies – with an emphasis on obesity prevention and a healthy lifestyle. This exhibit will be open Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, the two public days for AgMagic.
When Can You Go?
This year’s AgMagic events are open to school groups for scheduled tours April 21-25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and to the general public on April 26-27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours for school groups and other groups must be scheduled in advance.
Impact
Youngsters and adults alike leave the AgMagic experience knowing more about agriculture. In addition, teachers will be given fact sheets, lesson plans and other resources to help reinforce what they’ve learned. See examples by going to the AgMagic Fun Stuff.
More than 10,000 people participated in the AgMagic events in the LSU AgCenter’s Parker Coliseum during 2007. Because of the success, a number of organizations and businesses have joined in to help sponsor AgMagic. These include McDonald's, WAFB, Baton Rouge Parents' Magazine, Louisiana Forestry Association, Baton Rouge Advocate Educational Services, Louisiana Land Bank, Lamar, American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, Louisiana Rice Growers Association, Louisiana Rice Promotion Board, Jeff Davis Rice Growers Association, East Baton Rouge Master Gardeners Association and four Baton Rouge radio stations (WFMF, WJBO, WYNK and 96.1 The River).
Among the comments from teachers who brought school groups to AgMagic in previous years were:
“We had a great time! I found AgMagic to be well-organized, age-appropriate and educational. Great job!”
“The preschool (students) and teachers really enjoyed AgMagic. The children were very excited telling their parents about the trip. Looking forward to next year!”
“My students enjoyed learning about various topics related to Louisiana. We will be back next year! The information we learned tied in with our consumer/producer unit.”
“Our school brought 3-year-old children to AgMagic. The tour guide was exceptional. She made sure that our experience was age-appropriate.”
“My students could have visited and learned about the animals all day! The group I brought ranged from 4th to 8th graders. I have no doubt that they all learned something new.”
“This program is wonderful and should continue. Students were introduced to hands-on activities that they don't normally see or do in a classroom environment.”
The LSU AgCenter is one of 11 institutions of higher education in the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.
(This AgCenter Lead was updated on April 9, 2008, by Linda Benedict.)