Program areas at Marion County Farm Bureau
Marion County Farm Bureau has organized and sponsored the Ag Ventures program during the Southeastern Youth Fair for 14 years. More than 1,100 second grade students participated during the 3 days and well over one thousand people visit the Ag Ventures tent on self-guided tours throughtout the week. The Ag Venture tent displays information about the importance of agriculture. Students are presented with 12 educational stations that provided interactive learning on various commodities including blueberries, goats, rabbits, citrus, forestry, poultry, beef, equine, honey bees, row crops, and peanuts.
Marion County Farm Bureau read to approximately 2,000 students during Agriculture Literacy Day. We partner with UF/IFAS, UF CALS Graduate students, FFA students and advisors, elected officials and other volunteers to read an age appropriate book focused on the importance of farming and agriculture in Florida and our community.
Marion County Farm Bureau is part of a Farm City Week Coalition that plans and hosts several activities for the general public during Farm City Week. Activities include a photo contest, open house and farm tours, and a Marion County Ag Hall of Fame banquet. Farm City Week is celebrated annually to remind everyone of the interdependency of food producers, and consumers, as well as those who process, package, transport and retail food.