Educate, Create, and Connect in Agricultural Literacy
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Isabella Hamner
Presenter(s): Isabella Hamner
Mentors(s): Kellie Enns, Jennifer Bennett
This internship with CAM’s Ag Academy On the Road, a CSU Agriculture Education initiative, focused on expanding agricultural literacy through interactive programming and engagement with Colorado communities. The project aimed to develop, execute, and assess educational activities aligned with CSU Agriculture Education and CSU Spur research while making agricultural topics accessible to diverse audiences. Key contributions included adapting engagement materials into more portable and interactive formats, developing new educational lessons such as “A-Maize-ing Corn Anatomy” and “Beef By-Product Bingo,” and designing promotional materials to enhance outreach. These resources were utilized at community fairs, festivals, and CSU-sponsored events, strengthening the program’s educational reach. Additionally, I played a role in curriculum development, transforming CAM’s lessons into structured formats for future implementation in The Road program. Execution of these activities involved direct engagement with families and students at various events, including the Larimer County Fair, where I facilitated youth competitions and interactive sessions. Conducting agricultural literacy outreach, I assisted in training Junior Ag Ambassadors and leading educational demonstrations. Throughout the internship, I gained valuable experience in structured teaching, communication, and program facilitation. The impact of this internship extended to over 2,880 individuals across eleven Colorado counties, broadening agricultural literacy and fostering community involvement. My experiences deepened my understanding of agricultural education and strengthened my ability to design and implement effective learning strategies. This work has prepared me to be a more effective educator and advocate for agriculture in both formal and informal educational settings.