The State Fair of West Virginia is a Partner in Education with three elementray schools in Greenbrier County; Crichton, Ronceverte and Smoot.  The goal of the program is to provide a variety of educational activities that allow area school children exciting "hands on" expreince with agriculture.  Reagan Simms Rodgers, Agricultrual Education Coordinator for the State Fair states, "It is a unique way for the Fair to encourage school children to become involved at the Fair and bring agricultrual education to the young people of Greenbrier County".

Simms Rodgers is currently working on two programs, the "Berry Bloomin' Fun" horitcultural program and the "Ewes and You" sheep to fiber program.  The Berry Bloomin' Fun program consists of two hands-on workshops where children gain an appreciation for botany and learn to care for their own strawberry plant.  This program culminates at the August Fair where children are invited to display their decorated plant container and strawberry plant in a special Partner in Education display.

The second program, offered to 4th graders throughout Greenbrier County, introduces students to the sheep and fiber industry.  This program consists of two workshops.  The first highlighting the many different breeds of sheep and their uses and the second the use of wool in the firber industry.  Students expereience weaving and learn to spin with a drop spindle during the two workshops.  This project also culminates during the State Fair, where a Partner in Education quilt is displayed with a decorated square from each 4th grader from participating schools.  For teachers that may be interested in offering the Ewe's and You project to their students, please contact Reagan directly.

If you would like more information on the Partner in Education program or would like to volunteer, please call 304.645.1090 and ask for Reagan.

Fun Facts About WV Agriculture -

West Virginia...

• is the only state that can grow every type of pepper
• leads the nation in percentage of family-owned farms
• ranked tenth in the nation in apple production in 2006 with 90 million pounds
• is home to approximately 1,000 agribusinesses ranging from cottage industries to farmer's markets to agritourism enterprises
• produces nearly 90 million broilers (meat chickens) annually
• produces approximately 400,000 cattle each year
• Hay is West Virginia's leading crop
• Commercial timberland covers about 80 percent of West Virginia's land

Agricultural Sites -

State:

• West Virginia Department of Agriculture
• West Virginia 4-H Clubs
  • West Virginia University Extension Service
  • West Virginia State University Extension Service
• West Virginia Future Farmers of America 

 National:

• US Farm Bureau
• National Agriculture Statistics Service
• National Watermelon Promotion Board
• National Cattlemen's Beef Association
• American Egg Board
• National Dairy Council
• American Fruit Council
• USDA - ARS - Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center 

To recommend a site for inclusion in this listing, please click here .

Teacher Resources - 

State Fair Agricultural Programs and Lesson Plans are being developed.  Please check back often.

Use the links listed below for other lesson plans and sites with kid friendly information.

• Colonial Williamsburg (Teaching History Today)
• Teacher Created Resources (Farm Lesson Plans/Thematic Units & Activities)
• Leafy Greens Council (Lesson Plans) 

Visit these web sites for information, print materials and more.

• Farm Sanctuary
• Farm Animal Information (Elementary)
• Agriculture in the Classroom Kid's Zone
• FSA Farm Zone
• Farm Safety
• Teach the Children
• Library Network for Essential Curriculum
• Enchanted Learning (Farm Crafts & Activities)