Category: Cooperative Extension
Why Exposing Youth to Agriculture Matters
April 21, 2026 Written by Kaitlin Rogers, Extension Educator II - 4-H Youth Development
Delaware may be the second smallest state in the nation, but its agricultural presence is certainly not to be underestimated. Chances are, no matter where you're headed, a farm is part of the scenery along the way, from fields on the way to the beach to hidden gems throughout Wilmington. Delaware 4-H believes that farmland is so much more than a drive-by. It's a world waiting to be discovered by youth! As communities become more urbanized, the distance between youth and their knowledge of where their food is grown has become larger. However, the importance of agriculture in their daily lives hasn't shrunk one bit. Every meal and every fabric trace back to agriculture. Connecting youth to that reality early helps them become more informed consumers, more engaged citizens, and more thoughtful human beings. It's not about teaching every child to become a farmer, it's about helping every child understand the world they live in.
The benefits go well beyond the classroom. Agricultural experiences teach responsibility, resilience, and real-world problem-solving in ways few alternative settings can. When an animal depends on you, or a garden needs tending through the summer heat, young people learn that their actions have consequences and that hard work pays off. Research shows that kids involved in growing food are more likely to make healthy choices, and those exposed to agriculture before age 14 are significantly more likely to consider careers in food science, agriculture science, and environmental fields.
This is why opportunities to get off the sidelines and onto the farm matter so much. Whether a child grows up a few steps away from a cornfield or in the middle of the city, a hands-on experience can change the way they see the world around them — and help them find their place in it. We had the opportunity to welcome 25 students from West Park Place Elementary School and Stanton Middle School to the 91Ô´´ farm where we showed them what Cooperative Extension does firsthand. There, we introduced them to turf grass management, soil science, embryology, pollinators, entomology and more! This opportunity exposed these students to different careers in agriculture and may have ignited a spark for what they want to do or study in the future!Â