Geneva County, Ala. (WDNews) — Students in the Warren Beck Youth Leadership Program recently spent a day learning about agriculture from the ground up during a special Agriculture Day hosted by the Geneva County Extension.
Organizers say the goal was to give young leaders a closer look at where their food comes from and the work that goes into producing it.
The group began the day at JBW Farm Fresh, where students experienced a true “pasture-to-plate” learning opportunity. During the visit, they toured the farm and learned about regenerative agriculture practices used to care for the land while producing quality food.
After the tour, the students enjoyed lunch made with fresh ingredients sourced directly from the farm. They also had time to explore the farm store, where they browsed a variety of locally made skincare products and other farm-fresh treats.
The learning continued with a visit to Working Cows Dairy. There, students saw cows grazing on newly green grass and learned about the dairy’s operations. Rinske de Jong showed the group where she crafts the dairy’s artisanal cheeses, while Jan de Jong introduced them to the milking facilities and demonstrated the farm’s new robotic milking system.
The day wrapped up back at the Farm Center, where participants competed in a friendly agriculture trivia challenge focused on facts about farming in Geneva County and across Alabama. Winners were awarded tallow lip balm from JBW Farm Fresh and chocolate milk from Working Cows Dairy.
Organizers say the experience offered students a valuable look at the dedication of local producers who work to create quality products while also improving the land for future generations.