By Blake Jackson
Schools across Kentucky embraced agriculture-focused learning during the spring All In for Ag Education Week, held March 16-20, offering students hands-on experiences and insight into the industry.
At Tulley Elementary School in Jefferson County, students explored poultry science by learning about chickens and even helping incubate chicks.
They also participated in gardening activities. First-grader Amelia Peoples shared her excitement, saying, “I liked learning how feathers and beaks help them survive in their life cycle.”
The initiative, launched in 2025 through a partnership between the Kentucky Department of Education, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, aims to integrate agriculture into everyday classroom learning. Schools are encouraged to organize field trips, host guest speakers and use online teaching resources.
Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher emphasized the program’s broader value. “Ag Education Week gives students the opportunity to see the impact of agriculture at the high school level for pathways, middle school level for exploration, and the elementary level for exposure and introduction,” Fletcher said.
“I believe the best tool we have in our toolkit for chronic absenteeism … is vibrant learning; that’s learning that is important, that is relevant, that is joyful to our students. What better vibrant learning opportunity can we have than having the connection with agriculture?”
Students also participated in a book contest centered on dairy farming. The featured story, “Millie’s Farm Day,” written and illustrated by Kentucky students, was distributed to elementary schools. At Tulley Elementary, students read the book and watched a video from its creators, learning how farmers care for cows.
Third-grader Eli Montgomery reflected on the experience: “I learned that sometimes farmers will hook cows up to a machine to get the milk and they have to clean their beds because no one wants to lay on a dirty bed, and they need space outside to rest and roam and play around.”
Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood highlighted the importance of agriculture education, stating, “Urban agriculture is hands-on education at its best. It connects science, technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship in ways that a traditional classroom alone cannot do.”
Photo Credit: livingimages
Categories: Kentucky, Education