Jackson County Farm Bureau's annual Project RED (Rural Education Day) was held on Tuesday, April 22nd at the Jackson County Fairgrounds where nearly 1,500 3rd grade students, teachers and parents joined us to learn about agriculture.
Rural Education Day was designed to bring agriculture to a hands-on learning experience for 3rd grade students to enrich their knowledge and understanding of agriculture outside of the typically proclaimed farmer in their overalls holding a pitchfork philosophy.
When students arrive, they participate in a half day, seven-session event where flaggers take the students from one session to another. Each station lasts about 12 minutes long and vary in demonstration style.
Promotion & Education Chair Loren Faist along with project coordinator Becky Heim, and Lori Fitzgibbons, have proudly led the way as volunteers from all over the county joined them to be a part of this very loved program!
This year’s stations were:
- Beef & Dairy, presented by Co. President Charles Loveland of Smokey Oak Farms
- Michigan Diversity, presented by Jackie Sanford of Sanford Family Beef
- Hogs, presented by Ron & Julie Ellison of Ellison Farms
- Pollinators/Bees, presented by Jessica Steller of Steller Apiaries & Farms
- Goats/Sheep, presented by Mike Metzger of HK/New Era Farm
- Red Light, Green Light, presented by SpringportFFA
- Up close and personal, presented by Jackson Area Career Center FFA
A huge thank you to the dedicated speakers who have been committed to this program year after year!
While the program was in motion, volunteers delivered an assortment of materials onto school busses for students and teachers to take back to the classroom. Each teacher received a book and educator guide, “Potatoes For Pirate Pearl”. The students received several items including a garden ag mag, pencil, honey straws from Steller Apiaries & Farms, Better Made chips, and more!
Sponsoring this year’s teacher bags and transportation grants: American 1 Credit Union, Avery Oil & Propane, Better Made Chips, Biggby Coffee, Choate’s Belly Acres, Consumer's Energy, Countryside Veterinary Services, Faist Farm, Franks Grocery store, Greenstone Farm Credit Services, Hilltop Farm, Hotchkin Farms, Jackson Co. Conservation District, Jackson Industrial Construction, Little Prairie Farm, Lockwood Farms, Maple Crest Farm, McLaughlin Farm Ltd, Michigan Beef, Michigan Corn, Michigan Potato, Napoleon Feed Mill, Inc., Rocky Oak Farms, Sand Hill Farms, Sanford Family Beef, Sears Farm, State Rep. Sarah Lightner, Stellar Apiaries and Farm, Stoney Fence Row Farm/Mowrer Agency, Tractor Supply Company (Airport Rd), Weir Farms
Before arriving at the dairy station, students received a cheese stick for a snack, donated by Franks Shop Rite.
Passing through the large barn, students also had an opportunity to view various antique tractors brought in by the Jackson Area Antique Tractor Club.
Since the program is held outside, the committee always ensures hot drinks and meals are provided to keep volunteers energized. Sponsoring this year’s breakfast and lunch were Consumers Energy and Biggby Coffee.
Each school has an opportunity to apply for a grant to help with transportation costs. This year’s transportation grants were sponsored by Sears Farm, Alexander & Ward Insurance Agency/Farm Bureau Insurance, Jenkins Insurance Group/Farm Bureau Insurance, Garcia Family Agency/Farm Bureau Insurance, and Jackson Industrial Construction.
This program remains strong due to the tremendous efforts by multiple volunteers each year along with amazing sponsors who help provide materials to make it even more amazing! We also want to thank Jackson County Fairgrounds for their 26 years of time and energy making sure our program is successful!
We would like to thank everyone for their involvement in the program and look forward to celebrating the 27th year of Rural Education Day with 3rd grade students and the community on Tuesday, April 21, 2026!
If you are interested in getting involved in agriculture education, please contact the office by phone at (517) 784-9166. Visit our website at michfb.com/jackson for more updates on how you can participate in next year’s project RED or contact Loren at Loren Collision [email protected].