August 30, 2023 – Roughly 60 middle schoolers from the Our Lady of Lourdes School visited the Farm Progress Show today, thanks to funding provided by The Community Foundation of Macon County.
“You can talk all you want, and you can look at pictures, but it’s different when the students can actually see it in person,” Judy Saloka, a STREAM teacher at Lourdes, said. “It’s just amazing.”
Saloka and her colleagues at OLOL wanted to bring sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students on a field trip to the show for a hands-on learning experience, and the Community Foundation awarded a grant to the school that paid for the students’ transportation, admission fees and lunch at one of the show’s food courts. The students spent the day learning about career opportunities in the agriculture world and the latest technology on display at the show while having fun, too.
Saloka said a local speaker presented to the students beforehand about how the farming industry has changed in recent years, and she said students with varying backgrounds in agriculture were excited to tour the show.
“What we teach them at school, they are now able to see in action,” Saloka remarked. “It’s part of the lives around us, and it’s important for them to see that this is our community.”
Natalie Beck, President of The Community Foundation of Macon County, said she was happy to create a hands-on learning opportunity for the students, exposing them to the ever-evolving ag world.
“Teaching young students about STEM helps them get a head start in every part of life,” Beck said. “Our funding is intended to encourage connections and this type of grant is a perfect example of empowering students and connecting them to STEM curriculum that comes to life right before their eyes at the Farm Progress Show.”
OLOL eighth grader Anna Reidy was excited to see what she learns about at school coming to life at Progress City. She has family who work in the ag industry, and she said she enjoys seeing the future on display.
“I really like the opportunity to actually get to experience something and not just learn about it on a slideshow or in the classroom,” Reidy said. “I’m looking forward to going around and seeing all of the different farming equipment and getting to learn all about it.”
Another student, Tiarra Perry, said she had never expected to visit but was impressed by the show’s size and the number of professionals who traveled from across the globe to attend.
“I didn’t know that people had traveled all that way just to be here,” Perry said. “It’s honestly really cool.”
Students stopped by interactive exhibits, including a magic show, and ate lunch on site. Saloka said she’s grateful to the Foundation for making the day happen, and she’s already planning a trip back in 2025.
“It would not have happened without them—we would be sitting in the classroom talking on this gorgeous day,” Saloka said. “We are so appreciative to our community for supporting us.”
