Randy Miller with Southwest Dairy Farms explains the milk process to students. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service Kleberg- Kenedy Counties held its Agriculture Fair for the surrounding schools of Kleberg-Kenedy Counties.

Over 1600 students attended the event from Riviera, Gillett Intermediate, and Kleberg Elementary.

Students were educated on agriculture, wildlife and how they contribute to the world we live in.

Randy Miller with Southwest Dairy Farms brought his mobile dairy classroom and showed the students how the world gets milk and the process it goes through.

Randy’s 30-minute presentation along with his cow “Janie” is always a favorite with the youth.

Another favorite of the students was the TAMUK Wildlife Society, a collegiate organization from the Texas A&M University Kingsville.

The wildlife society exhibited different hides, horns, antlers, and skins from different native wildlife.

County Extension Agent Frank Escobedo had a presentation on beef. Along with that, they also showed the students the different hoof prints that wildlife leave, and how to evaluate them in the wild .

The students really enjoyed taking a moment to feel the different hides, horns, antlers and skins that were presented to them.

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi “Adopt a Wetland” was another exhibit for the students to see. Jay Tarkington explained the importance of wetlands to the students.

He also talked about the different species of animals that live in wetlands and its ecology.

The students walked through the mobile exhibit and learned about all the animals that make a wetland their habitat.

Rob Hinnant with the Texas Farm Bureau was also available to teach the students about grain production. Grain sorghum, wheat, and corn production were topics for the week.

Frank Baca with NRCS explains pollution control through a water shed map. The students learned how grains are processed and what nutritional value animals and humans get from these grains.

Different samples of grains and its by products were shown to the youth.

John Ford, County Extension Agent for Kleberg and Kenedy Counties was the presenter for cotton.

The students learned about cotton production and also about its by-products. They learned the many steps of processing cotton.

Students were made aware of the dreaded “Boll Weevil” and how it can destroy a cotton crop. Mary Sappington with the Texas Department of Agriculture taught students about agricultural laws and regulations enforced by the state of Texas.

The students were shown the different state safety seals and learned what they stood for and where to look for them on products.

County Extension Agent, Frank Escobedo had a presentation on beef and beef by-products. Youth learned the major wholesale cuts of meat.

They were surprised to learn that gelatin, makeup and some adhesives on bandages are by-products of beef.

NRCS representatives Robert Schmidt and Frank Baca presented two different demonstrations for the youth.

A rain simulator showed the importance of conservation for the soil and the land. Another of their demonstrations was a pollution simulator which showed the kids the effects of pollution.

The Agriculture Fair is held every other year in collaboration with numerous partners and supporters.