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".

Past programs include the "Berry Bloomin' Fun" horitcultural program and the "Ewes and You" sheep to fiber program.  The Berry Bloomin' Fun program consisted of two hands-on workshops where children gained an appreciation for botany and learned to care for their own strawberry plant.  

The second program, offered to 4th graders throughout Greenbrier County, introduced students to the sheep and fiber industry.  This program consisted 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 expereienced weaving and learned to spin with a drop spindle during the two workshops.  

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)