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MEDIA RELEASE

March 27, 2003
Written By Kent Thiesse, U of M Extension Service (507-389-8141)

"Ag In The Classroom" Reaches 1,100 Students

Approximately 1,100 third and fourth grade students in Blue Earth, Faribault, Nicollet and Sibley Counties were part of special "Ag In The Classroom" presentations by agricultural volunteers during the week of March 24-28. The classroom visits were part of special educational efforts to support "National Agriculture Week", and to support statewide "Ag In The Classroom" efforts. Participating School Districts were Mankato, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, Maple River, St. Clair, Nicollet, St. Peter, Sibley East and several area Private Schools.

Twenty four agricultural volunteers shared information with the students about the Minnesota agriculture industry and some specifics related to farming practices in South Central Minnesota. Most of the volunteers have had many years of practical experience in agriculture. The volunteers included : Adam Marshal and Chris Kronin, students at South Central Technical College; Mary Duncanson, Paul Helland, and Robin Kinney, all of Mapleton; Dawn and Laura Hubmer of St. Clair; Barb Overlie, Norm Seiling, Matt Lantz, and Tony Jacobs, all of Lake Crystal; Dave Pongratz of Rapidan; Shelly Wingen, Leah Fitzsimmons, Allen Marble, Luverne and Shirley Doering, all of Good Thunder; Rob and Gail Moline, Burt Norrell, and Warren Krohn, all of St. Peter; Tom Warmka, Lowell and Nicole Jabs, from Faribault County.

The "Ag In The Classroom" program is coordinated statewide by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Local sponsors of the school visits include the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Minnesota Farm Bureau, the Minnesota Soybean Grower's Association, the Minnesota Corn Grower's Association, the Minnesota Pork Producer's Association, and the American Dairy Association. The program was coordinated by the Blue Earth and Faribault County Extension Office.