"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness." — Thomas Jefferson
In a community where kids learn to drive a tractor long before a car, Agriculture is recognized as a wise pursuit and honored throughout the year. It is given extra attention on Ag Day. This year’s annual Goodhue School and FFA sponsored event was March 17th.
High school and middle school students were released at varied intervals to sample a wide range of Agricultural career opportunities. The main gymnasium was setup with stations where students might discover options they hadn’t considered. To increase engagement and interest, most exhibitors offered free take-home items.
River Valley Power and Sport encouraged kids to tell about themselves to earn their prizes. Minnesota Pork Producers challenged visitors with a trivia question and gave out items with their newest slogan, “Taste what pork can do”. Students had to work for an Army National Guard T-shirt by doing 35 pushups or outlasting their friends.
Midwest Machinery Company (MMC) is a family-owned John Deere dealership providing Agriculture, consumer and commercial equipment, parts and service. They offer an education reimbursement program through accredited colleges or technical schools. Reimbursement is offered for coursework related to the business including mechanics, Ag business, science or agronomy, administration or management and more. Students are sponsored by a manager and may be offered employment at one of the company’s 30 Minnesota and Wisconsin locations. Patrick O’Reilly won a toy tractor for submitting the closest guess of the price of the actual tractor.
Others presenting information at the career fair were Lodermeier’s Inc, Ellingson, Knobelsdorff, Dakota County and Riverland Colleges, Plumbers and Pipefitters Union and the Carpenters Union.
Rain held off long enough for students to explore outside exhibits of live goats, a horse, pony and other farm-related exhibits. 33 Tractors of all ages and colors bordered one side of the parking lot, offering an up-close look. Many students feel the closing parade of tractors is the highlight of the days’ activities. Just when it was to begin, a large thunderstorm and small hail forced postponement for about 45 minutes. The parade was able to finish with participating students and their family members driving out of town before the school day ended.
