Kentucky State Cooperative Extension Program Launches Urban Ag Discovery Center to Educate Students on Agricultural Careers
The Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program has opened the Urban Ag Discovery Center at Sam Swope JA BizTown in Louisville. This new hands-on learning experience aims to introduce thousands of fifth-grade students annually to various career opportunities within agriculture. The center, developed under the leadership of Lynsey Crumbie, state specialist in agricultural entrepreneurship, integrates agriculture into BizTown's simulated local economy. Students will engage in four professional roles: chief executive officer/local food systems coordinator, certified public accountant/agricultural lender, farmer, and veterinary medical officer. These roles challenge students to solve problems, make decisions, and explore diverse agricultural pathways, from comparing hydroponic and traditional growing systems to investigating livestock health and evaluating farm loan requests. The curriculum emphasizes that agriculture encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including science, technology, engineeri...
