2022 LSU Gumbo - Book - Page 163
The LSU AgCenter invited children in Baton Rouge
and surrounding areas to experience AgMagic, a
Louisiana agricultural-focused event, after a two-year
hiatus.
According to the AgCenter website, AgMagic is
the AgCenter’s signature annual educational event for
children and was put on hold for two years due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was held for registered school groups
from March 28 to April 1, and opened to the public on
April 2 and April 3.
Hannah Devall, an instructor in the AgCenter 4-H
Youth Development unit, worked on the opening of
AgMagic to the public. She says AgMagic provides
children with interactive activities that teach them
about Louisiana agriculture.
“AgMagic is an interactive tour that showcases
Louisiana agriculture,” Devall said. “When touring
the event, youth have the opportunity to play games,
complete crafts, pet different animals and witness top
agriculture commodities from across the state.”
Devall said her favorite part of the event is watching
children get excited about learning Louisiana
agriculture.
“For me, the most exciting part of this event is
to witness youth learn more about the agriculture
industry in Louisiana,” Devall said.
Devall also said the event showcases other displays,
like 4-H youth development, “World of Wonder–
Forestry,” “Aquaculture,” “Plants Produce for You,”
“Bugs Rule,” “Animals Produce for You” and Farm
Gate to Dinner Plate. Each of these displays showcase
different agricultural commodities while making a
connection to everyday items that derive from those
same commodities.
She said the children’s favorite part of the event is
typically petting chicks in the “Animals Produce for
You” session.
Sammie Parks, a civil engineering graduate student
with a focus in environmental studies, heard about
the AgMagic event from her renewable and natural
resources professor and decided to volunteer.
“I think that this event is great for teaching
children hands-on activities pertaining to Louisiana
agriculture,” Parks said. “Agriculture is very important
as how food is produced, how homes are built and how
daily resources are made, such as paper and oxygen.”
Parks also said she believes it is important to be
aware of all the agricultural resources Louisiana has to
offer.
Agricultural and extension education and
evaluation sophomore Emma Vines believes that LSU’s
contribution to agriculture education for children does
a great job with community outreach.
“I think this event is a great way for children to be
exposed to agriculture through hands-on activities and
other learning experiences,” Vines said. “Many people
don’t know where their food comes from and the
importance of agriculture in everyday life.”
Vines said events like AgMagic sparked her interest
in agriculture.
“It was events like AgMagic that made me really
enjoy learning about agriculture,” Vines said. “I had
such a great learning experience from my teachers and
agriculture events that I wanted to give future students
similar opportunities.”
Vines said she would volunteer at AgMagic again
and wants to encourage other LSU agricultural majors
to get involved with community outreach.
“I would love to help children experience
agriculture, and it’s what I want to do for a career,”
Vines said. “Having the opportunity to see a young
student light up when they hold a bunny for the first
time or look so proud of themselves after learning
something new is something I really enjoy.”
Veterinary sciences sophomore Isabella Matysil said
AgMagic could help children better understand what it
is like to be a veterinarian.
“I and other veterinarian science majors all agree
that we had an innate sense of wanting to work with
animals, and this event can persuade children to fully
understand the tasks of a veterinarian,” Matysil said.
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