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Destination Ag
Destination Ag provides an interactive, educational experience for children and all guests focused on modern agriculture and natural resources. Through a variety of programs, guests connect to where their food, fiber, and shelter come from – agriculture!
Program Overview
The program began in 2016 thanks to an initial gift of $250,000 from the Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation to the ABAC Foundation. In 2017, the Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation committed $1 million over the next four years to continue the program. The Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation continues to support Destination Ag providing free programing to public schools in the following districts: Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, Turner, Valdosta City, and Worth. Grades PreK, first, third, and fifth from these schools can visit Destination Ag for no program cost.
Destination Ag does provide programming to school systems (public, independent, or homeschool) and grades beyond those listed above. If interested, please call (229) 391-5221 or email kscott@abac.edu for further information.
Mission
The mission of Destination Ag is to be a dynamic educational program connecting students and teachers to the importance of agriculture and natural resources in their daily lives. Destination Ag provides educational activities directly focused on agriculture and natural resources. The goals for Destination Ag include:
- Providing interactive programs that link curriculum standards, utilize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) principles, and share career opportunities within agriculture and natural resources.
- Developing program outreach that includes teacher education/professional development opportunities at the GMA, a series of Family Farm books highlighting Georgia farm families and their commodities, partnerships with industry organizations to provide schools and the public with educational resources.
- Involving ABAC students in teaching/mentoring roles for the children participating in Destination Ag programming.
State Educational Standards
The Destination Ag curriculum is tied to Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) along with the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) and incorporates principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). View the specific standards addressed under each lesson description or in the Program Guide.
On-Site Programs
On-Site Programs provided by Destination Ag feature multiple field experiences on agriculture and natural resource topics.
Field Experience
Customize your group’s visit by attending two to four sessions during your Field Experience on-site at Destination Ag.
Details
- Field experiences are available for third and fifth grades in the fall and Pre-K and first grades in the spring.
- Third and fifth grade sessions are 45-minutes, first grade sessions are 30-minutes, and PreK sessions are 20-minutes.
- Field experiences include three to four sessions plus a 30-minute lunch break at the Opry Shelter pavilion. The number of sessions is determined by the amount of time the visiting school has available.
- A full program day (four sessions) may start with a 9:15 arrival and end with a 1:15 pm departure. PreK groups may leave by 12:30 pm. See the Programming Guide for more details.
- Teachers will be able to choose lessons for students to participate in. Free Time is included with all Field Experiences.
- During Free Time, students visit the agriculturally themed playground under the supervision of their teachers (Museum staff do not lead this session). Schools may ask to switch Free Time to visiting the Drug Store. The Drug Store provides ice cream and souvenirs for sale which students may buy under visiting adult supervision. Schools must request switching from Free Time to the Drug Store prior to their field trip date.
- Lessons are adapted for the grade level to ensure state educational standards are addressed.
- Groups bring sack lunches to enjoy a 30-minute break at the Opry Shelter pavilion.
Pricing
- If you are booking for grades PreK, 1st, 3rd, or 5th from a public school in the following districts (Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, Turner, Valdosta City, Wilcox, or Worth), then your school receives no-cost programming, and may already have a field trip scheduled. Confirm with your principal prior to completing this form.
- For groups not listed above, pricing is $7 per student.
- Teachers, other school staff, and bus drivers do not pay for Museum admission. All other adults must pay general museum admission upon arrival.
3rd & 5th Grade Lesson Descriptions (45-minute lessons)
- Agriculture & Natural Resources Careers-Livestock Manager: Is taking care of livestock easy? Students will learn about all the living things livestock managers do to ensure they have healthy animals. Then students will get to meet some of DA’s livestock while getting hands-on experience with tools, feed, and equipment. This program addresses the following GSEs: MGSE3.MD.1, S5L4.
- Fluke or Fortune: Ag economics is the focus as students try their chance at a game of “risk” as foresters and beef farmers. They will explore various concepts of economics by making decisions for their farm. Will their trees live after the threat of disease, and will their cows survive through a heat wave? State standards addressed: SS3E1, SS3E4, SS5E3.
- Conservation in Ag: Farmers play an important role in conserving our natural resources. Students will discover how technology assists farmers in water conservation, the farming practices that assist in reducing soil erosion, and how aquaponics and hydroponics can assist with future food production. State standards addressed: S3E1.b, S3L2.b, S5P1.b.c, S5L4.a, SS5H3.a.
- Animal Academy: Insects, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, oh my! Students will discover the difference between animal groups, how certain animals are adapted to their environment, and even get a chance to personally meet some of these cool creatures. This includes a visit with the Museum’s Virginia opossum! State standards addressed: S3L1.b.c., S5L1.a., S5L2.b.
- *Free Time: This session is included for all on-site field experiences. Students learn through play while enjoying non-structured time at our agriculturally themed play area. Groups may visit the DA livestock, visit the pollinator garden, and visit the Drug Store in the Historic Village (must be requested prior to field trip) for souvenirs and snacks. The teacher must be inside with the students when they are in the Drug Store. Schools may pre-purchase ice cream for their students. Contact Tonia Carpenter at 229/391-5205 or tcarpenter@abac.edu if interested. Visiting teachers are responsible for their students and more than one class may be in the Free Time area during a session.
Outreach Programs
Bring Destination Ag to your classroom! Destination Ag offers educational programs for in-classroom experiences focused on agricultural and natural resources. These resources are offered all schools throughout Georgia!
Traveling Trunks
As part of the Destination Ag and Georgia Farm Bureau partnership, Traveling Trunks were developed to teach children throughout the state of Georgia about agriculture and natural resources. Traveling Trunks provide a hands-on experience to engage students in a grade-specific & standards-linked interactive lesson. Georgia Farm Bureau houses the trunks within each of its 10 regions. Volunteers or local county office members can bring the trunks and present the provided lessons to groups at no cost!
Contact your local Farm Bureau office to schedule a visit to your classroom today!
All About Trees
All About Peanuts
Family Farm Book Series
These literary resources are written for elementary-level readers providing an entertaining and unique look into Georgia’s agriculture industry. Students gain a deeper connection to where their daily food and fiber products come from. Currently, Destination Ag offers “My Family’s Cotton Farm,” “Our Family’s Tree Farm,” and “My Family’s Peach Farm.” Books are available at no cost in a downloadable PDF, and as printed copies shipped to educators. To order printed copies, complete the Family Farm Book Order Form.
Visit the Family Farm Book Resources to download free lessons which incorporate math, ELA, and social studies. “Our Family’s Tree Farm” lessons are designed for third and fourth grades while lessons for “My Family’s Peach Farm” is geared for third through fifth grades. All lessons address Georgia education standards to assist with incorporating these resources into classrooms.
Plan Your Program
- If your class grade is PreK, 1st, 3rd, or 5th AND you are from a public school in the following school districts (Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, Turner, Valdosta City, Wilcox, Worth), then your school may already have a field trip scheduled. Confirm with your principal prior to registering.
- If your class is from a different school system (public, independent, or homeschool) please contact us for a possible program. Call (229) 391-5221 or email kscott@abac.edu.