NW Missouri Times

Children and university students converged at Northwest Missouri State University’s Agricultural Learning Center for the second annual Ag Camp. The event, which took place over three afternoons, welcomed about 150 children aged 5 to 10 from northwest Missouri and southwest Iowa.

Emma Brushwood, a senior from Elsberry, Missouri, who initiated the camp last year, expressed her motivation: “Ag feeds us, ag clothes us, ag makes sure that we live every single day. I just want the kids to know where everything they use every single day comes from.” Brushwood and four other agricultural education majors led activities that introduced children to crops, animals, and farm equipment.

The camp featured hands-on experiences such as creating soybean germination necklaces and making plastic using cornstarch. On another day, participants learned about feed rations by mixing cereals with Skittles to analyze nutritional content. Activities also included making butter and examining hard-boiled eggs.

Katijo Schaefer, a sophomore from Glasgow, Missouri, participated as an intern with Agriculture Education on the Move. She shared her enthusiasm for teaching agriculture: “I have a passion for teaching young minds... It holds a very special part in my heart.” Schaefer appreciated the opportunity to enhance her classroom management skills through leading diverse activities.

Meghan Hunerdosse from Indianola, Iowa returned this summer as one of seven student volunteers after helping launch the camp with Brushwood last year. “It was so much fun when Emma and I did it last summer,” she said. “We definitely achieved” making it bigger and better this year.

The camp was made possible through support from local businesses and organizations. Their contributions ensured free attendance for all children and provided them with items like T-shirts and treat coupons.

Reflecting on the impact of the camp, Brushwood noted that many attendees do not come from farming backgrounds but hoped their interest in agriculture would be sparked. “It's just a little spark that lights inside of me whenever kids learn something,” she said.