In a few days, the grounds of the Sampson County Cooperative Extension Center will be filled with youths and families having fun through agriculture.

Sampson County Ag Day is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the local Center, located at 55 Agriculture Place, Clinton, off U.S. 421 South. Held every other year, the purpose of the free event is to provide agricultural learning through entertainment, games, health screenings, livestock, weather and exhibits. Close to 40 vendors are scheduled to be there.

Daniel Collins, extension agent for 4-H Youth Development, and other Sampson County representatives are looking forward to the event.

“I think it’s going to be a great weekend to have this event and awesome time for everybody to come out, especially if they’re not familiar with agricultural in Sampson County,” Collins said. “It’s going to be one of those things where they can learn some of the things we have to offer at the extension office and through local agriculture.”

Collins mentioned how the event was created several years ago to make up for not having a county fair in the area. In the process of people enjoying themselves extension agents hope community members walk away with learning something.

“I think there’s a lot of people out there that don’t know that agricultural is our number one industry here in Sampson County,” Collins said.

When it comes to learning about resources, he once mentioned how some kids believe milk comes from the store. To educate, a simulated cow milking demonstration will be available Saturday.

“They’re going to get some exposure to the agriculture industry that we have here,” Collins said.”I felt that was one of the biggest things.”

Currently, some of the listed participants include 4-H, Sampson County Partnership for Children, Hubb’s Farm, Prestage Farms, Inc. Crooked Run Orchard and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, which will provide a rain fall simulator to demonstrate its effect of crops and soil. Other highlights will include a beekeeping demonstration and bingo.

Some of the other activities include aquaculture (the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish and aquatic plants), agromedicine, a viewing of “Farmland” every hour in the arena, agriculture equipment for children to experience, veterinarian demonstrations and food for attendees to enjoy.

Smithfield will provide a free hot dog lunch Saturday for community members in attendance. Howling Cow, ice cream producers from North Carolina State will also provide treats during the event.

With a plethora of activities and vendors scheduled for Saturday, large maps will be provided to attendees. Each booth is expected to have some type of giveaway.

Preparation for the event began in 2015 and took many months of planning, which required the assistance of sponsors and volunteers to promote it.

“It’s took a lot of team effort,” Collins said about committees formed for Ag Day.

For more information about the event, contact the Sampson County Extension Office at 910-592-7161 or visit www.sampson.ced.ncsu.edu.

Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.

By Chase Jordan

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Local students spend time with a mascot from the Sampson County Cooperative Extension Center. It’s one of many fun attractions which will be available Saturday for Ag Day.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Ag_2.jpgLocal students spend time with a mascot from the Sampson County Cooperative Extension Center. It’s one of many fun attractions which will be available Saturday for Ag Day.

Agents from the Sampson County Cooperative Extension Center will provide entertainment and education about the importance of local agriculture at this Saturday’s Sampson County Ag Day.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ag-day.jpgAgents from the Sampson County Cooperative Extension Center will provide entertainment and education about the importance of local agriculture at this Saturday’s Sampson County Ag Day.