Farm Day in the City Brings Agricultural Education to Kern County Students

The Kern County Fairgrounds were bustling with excitement this week for the 41st annual Farm Day in the City. Hosted by the Kern County Farm Bureau, the event continues a long tradition of educating the next generation about the origins of their food and the significance of agriculture. About 5,000 students from all over the county came to the Kern County Fairgrounds for the two-day event, eager to explore the hands-on exhibits and demonstrations highlighting the importance of farming and ranching in Kern County.

“This is a really wonderful opportunity for the kids to get experience in agriculture,” said Rachel Nettleton, executive director of the Kern County Farm Bureau. 

Since its inception in 1984, Farm Day in the City has served as a bridge between farm and table, offering 2nd to 4th-grade students from public, charter, private, and home schools the opportunity to engage directly with the agricultural industry. Nettleton emphasized the importance of educating the next generation about farming and agriculture. 

“A lot of these kids think that their chocolate milk comes from brown cows,” she explained. “This is their first exposure to what agriculture is and where their food comes from.”

This year’s event showcased a variety of exhibits that highlighted different aspects of agriculture. Children could interact with livestock, such as cows, goats, and sheep, learn about farm machinery, how to grow plants, and engage in fun and educational activities. The exhibits also featured a mounted unit from the Bakersfield Police Department, sheepdog herding demonstrations, and even cowboys roping cattle. 

“These exhibits are catering to their conversations in ways that the kids can understand, Nettleton explained. 

Emma Moore, a 15-year-old 4-H participant, was among the young volunteers who helped bring the event to life. Standing by her four-month-old calf, MJ, Emma shared her passion for agriculture with the students, explaining the process of raising cattle and how important it is for children, especially those from urban areas, to understand where their food comes from.

 “I think it’s cool, especially since they’re from the city, so they don’t always get this experience,” Emma said as she introduced her calf to dozens of children who came up to pet MJ. “They should know where their beef comes from.” 

Farm Day in the City, in addition to livestock and machinery, featured various educational stations with activities that catered to the students’ age groups. Nettleton explained how the event also included interactive games, coloring pages, and educational giveaways to keep the children engaged while learning. 

“I saw a three-year-old on a horse today helping rope some cattle. It’s just so fun seeing those different exhibits,” Nettleton said. 

The event also aims to inspire students to consider careers in agriculture, from farming and ranching to roles in engineering, accounting, and agriculture technology. As Kern County remains the number one agricultural producer in the nation based on value, Nettleton emphasized how critical it is for today’s youth to be educated about the industry for future workforce development and for making informed decisions as future voters. 

“When they grow up, they could be the ones that are working with these farms,” she said. “They’re going to be voting on things that can affect our agriculture industry.”

In its 41 years, Farm Day in the City has continued to grow, both in attendance and in its ability to connect young students with the heart of agriculture. It’s more than just an event. It’s a reminder of the rich agricultural history in Kern County and the importance of passing that knowledge down to the next generation.

“It’s so fun seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces,” Nettleton said. “It’s really an enjoyable experience for the kids, and they’re having so much fun.”