KARE outreach and education leader, Laura Van Der Staay, along with UCD Cooperative Extension Cropping Systems Specialist, Jeff Mitchell, had their hands full with over 300 enthusiastic Tulare County 4^th graders as part of the 2017 half-day AgVentures extravaganza that was held at the International Ag Center on May 12.  This is the third time the two of them have taken part in this activity that is always a big hit with the kids, teachers and parents.  Students learned about soil science and  research that is underway at the KARE Center related to soil function and management and also had a chance to see up close and personal how soils can change if they are managed using conservation agriculture practices.  While the day is always grueling, both Van Der Staay and Mitchell departed after a hearty hamburger lunch that was provided by the event organizers with the satisfaction of having hopefully expanded horizons and inspired a new generation of science-loving students.

KARE’s Laura Van Der Staay working with Tulare County fourth graders who were part of the 2017 AgVentures Day at the International Ag Center in Tulare, CA, May 12, 2017.