Last week, fourth-graders from local elementary schools had a memorable day outside the classroom as they experienced a hands-on approach to agriculture at the annual Moffat County Cattlewomen’s Ag Expo.

The event took place at the Moffat County Fairgrounds, where dozens of students arrived to participate in the longstanding tradition. The event started around 8:30 a.m. and lasted until 3 p.m., with a lunch break around noon. The students rotated through various stations set up across the fairgrounds, learning about different aspects of agriculture in Moffat County.

With the help of presenters from various groups and dedicated FFA volunteers from Moffat County High School, the Cattlewomen hosted a daylong learning experience. The students engaged in a variety of activities, including exploring agricultural byproducts, discerning grass-fed from organic meats, and understanding water rights and conservation and animal health.

In the livestock barn, students interacted with a range of animals such as draft horses, cow and calf pairs, goats, mini donkeys, alpacas and chickens. They learned about animal care and feeding, with volunteers sharing knowledge on tagging, treatment and other topics related to the animals’ health.

The event featured unique additions like a sourdough station, where students learned about sourdough starters, and a fiberworks booth presented by Yampa Valley Fiberworks. At the meat station, students explored consumer choices and the health benefits of meat consumption, including the differences between grass-fed and grain-fed meats.

Organizer Christina Rhyne, whose association with the event goes back to her days as a 4-H junior leader volunteer, emphasized the event’s importance in connecting children to the food on their plates and the impact of agriculture on their lives.

“More so than in many areas, kids (in Moffat County) live near cattle and sheep and horses,” Rhyne said. “So making that connection and helping them understand agriculture’s broader reach is important.”

Rhyne estimated that around 155 students attended this year’s event. At the end of the day, students took home a swag bag from the Colorado Beef Council, filled with recipes, activity books, beef sticks, and items featuring animal byproducts such as marshmallows, gum and crayons.

The Moffat County Cattlewomen host this event annually to promote agricultural education in the community. Rhyne hopes the students not only enjoy the event, but also gain valuable knowledge.

“When the weather is nice, it’s just a nice day to have a good time, and if they learn something, even better,” Rhyne said.

The event’s success is credited to the many volunteers who helped make the day possible, including older students involved in FFA who served as chaperones for the fourth-graders.