News Release Distributed 10/08/15
SHREVEPORT, La. – AgMagic, the LSU AgCenter’s interactive exhibit about Louisiana agriculture, returns to the State Fair of Louisiana on Oct. 22 and will be open through Nov. 8. The hours for the free event are between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
“The AgMagic experience gives visitors hands-on interactive exhibits and activities that highlight different aspects of agriculture and commodities. We want people of all ages to recognize the importance of agriculture in their daily lives,” said Karen Martin, LSU AgCenter 4-H regional coordinator.
Forty-four school groups totaling 2,600 students in grades 3 through 6 are scheduled to tour AgMagic between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Oct. 30 and Nov. 4-6, Martin said. This is up from last year’s numbers, which were 1,800 students from 41 schools.
AgMagic is located in the Agriculture Building on the State Fair grounds and includes eight stations. The Louisiana 4-H section will highlight science, engineering and technology programs. Young people can learn about archery, wildlife, and camping and water safety. Louisiana 4-H is an educational program of the LSU AgCenter designed to help young people develop leadership, citizenship and life skills.
The other seven sections are:
– The “Walk in the Woods” exhibit will illustrate the abundance of natural resources found in Louisiana and offer an opportunity for a stroll through a mock forest, where visitors will learn to identify trees, fish and wildlife. Activities include making paw prints. Visitors will also learn about ATV safety.
– “A Bug’s World” will focus on the world of a butterflies and the role they play in agriculture and the environment. Visitors will be able to view butterflies in their habitat with magnifying lenses.
– At the “Crops” station, visitors will have a chance to drive a combine. The exhibit will provide information on the major crops grown in Louisiana including corn, cotton and soybeans and how they are to make multiple products.
– At the “Horticulture” station, people will walk through a home setting where they can identify the various types of plants grown in home gardens. Visitors can dig for crops and look through different types of soil through microscopes.
– The “World of Super Heroes” highlights nutrition and the importance of eating healthy. Educational information will allow visitors to learn about and identify “super” foods.
– At the “Animals” station, visitors will have an opportunity to see chicks hatch from eggs inside the incubator and hold the baby chicks. There will also be baby ducklings for viewing.
The other exhibit is the “Mini Farm.” But this will be open only for the school tours. It includes multiple animals for the students to pet and interact with, including chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, dairy cattle, beef cattle and horses.
Brandy Orlando