Kids share insights on agriculture at the Raising Nebraska indoor exhibits

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KOLN) - Nebraska’s Largest Classroom is an educational event at the Nebraska State Fair where students can learn all about the state. Last year, over 3,000 students, teachers and sponsors participated.

Raising Nebraska teaches families about agriculture with interactive exhibits. Some of the students shared what they learned.

“My favorite part is probably the feed bunker cattle exhibit over to our left,” said 10-year-old Jerriah from Ord, Nebraska. “It’s a diorama for a pasture with multiple pens, and it’s basically a feedlot.”

Jerriah came to the State Fair with his friend Abian.

“I probably like the combine simulator,” Abian said. “There’s a soybean field area. It’s interesting with all of the switches and the handles.”

Jerriah chimed in.

“Sometimes kids think that combines are the coolest things, until they’ve been in one,” he said. “Then they’re like, ‘What are they doing?’ They’re not even on the - their hands aren’t even on the wheel. They’re just sitting there, watching the combine go straight.”

He then commented that it’s a good thing that farmers have the radio to listen to while they harvest.

The Raising Nebraska indoor exhibits are in the Nebraska Building. Students could make their own Kool-Aid, compare their weight to farm products, explore a house setting, step on a topographical display of Nebraska and view dairy cow milking machines. Several presenters set up booths to go into depth about other agricultural topics.

The Nebraska’s Largest Classroom festivities took place on Aug. 23, 27 and 28. People had to pre-register for this free program, and it’s open to public, private and homeschools.

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