The Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District held its 30th Annual Environmental Field Days on October 25-26 at H&H Arena and Herman Dairy Farm. The event hosted 392 fifth-grade students and 22 teachers from seven public elementary schools, two Christian schools, and one homeschool.

Soil & Water Director Pamela Bowman said the main purpose of the field days is to increase the students’ understanding of natural resources, conservation, and agriculture. In addition, students were made aware of current environmental concerns and career opportunities.

During the event, participants visited nine (9) environmental stations located on the grounds of H&H Arena, where they learned unique information and viewed hands-on demonstrations. The students also enjoyed a locally-grown apple and a cheese stick, both donated by local sponsors.

“The Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors and staff believe that this type of hands-on education is essential for the conservation of our natural resources and is important in sustaining a positive attitude towards agriculture,” said Bowman.

Learning stations included weather, livestock production, soil & water poster contest theme, geographic information systems (GIS) in agriculture, groundwater, wildlife, forestry, soils, and aquatics.

The Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District expresses its appreciation to the following sponsors: Herman Dairy Farm, Dairy Farmers of America, Sugarloaf Orchards, New South Tractor of Newton, and Chapman Jersey Farm LLC. In addition, the Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District is thankful for all the station presenters and volunteers including several ACHS FFA students, Alexander Cooperative Extension, Lincoln SWCD, Burke SWCD, Caldwell SWCD, Alexander County GIS and 911 Addressing, Rocky Face Park, NC Forest Service, and Tuttle Educational State Forest.

View an online photo album from the October 25th field day at https://bit.ly/2023-environmental-field-days.