By Danny Federico Riverbend News
Branford Elementary School (BES), located at 26801 SR-247 and Branford High School (BHS), located at 405 N Reynolds St., came together on Friday, March 12, for their 13 Annual Ag Day. Since this tradition was started 13 years ago, BHS's class of 2021 was the first to participate in all aspects of Branford's Ag Day.
Over 150 members of Future Farmers of America (FFA) participated in the event. In addition, all of BES and even kids from Branford Love-N-Care Daycare, located at 105 S Reynolds St., attended. Students in pre-K through second grade learned about commodities. These students had the opportunity to view over 21 booths themed around peanuts, strawberries, potatoes, dairy, beef, swine, goats, watermelons and even forestry.
Students in grades three through five learned about careers in agriculture, such as with Nestle Water Company, Department of Agricultural Law Enforcement, Caterpillar (CAT), the Old General Store, Department of Corrections Canine Unit, Jason Weekly Farrier Services, Byrd's Logging, Barnes Hay Farm, John Terry Small Farming, Suwannee River Water Management District, the Suwannee County UF/IFAS extension and even welding.
During the event, FFA members and alumni prepared and dished out a picnic lunch for BES's students, which was sponsored by the Suwannee County School District.
"Ag Day is an important event because it is imperative that children learn at a young age where their food, clothing and other products come from," said Stacy Young, BHS's agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. "Children will one day become not only consumers, but also voters. Politics can have a significant impact on agriculture and it is important children become educated so they will have knowledge when the time comes for them to vote on policies that will affect production agriculture."
Sponsors, including those who spoke about careers, were: Florida Farm Bureau, Suwannee County Farm Bureau, Black Gold, Florida Peanut Federation, Lan Watermelons, Florida Milk, Shenandoah Dairy, Florida Cattleman's Association, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Gaylord Farms and Shade Tree Nursery.