NDSU Extension Hosts Living Ag Classroom for 4th Graders

Nearly 2,400 students learn about crops, livestock, and food production at annual event

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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North Dakota State University Extension and the North Dakota Ag Foundation have hosted the "Living Ag Classroom" event for over 20 years, giving fourth graders from Fargo, Wahpeton, and Central Cass schools the opportunity to learn about where their food comes from. Students rotated through learning stations focused on different agricultural commodities like corn, beans, sugar beets, honey, pigs, sheep, and dairy calves.

Why it matters

Many children today are disconnected from the origins of their food, simply purchasing items at the grocery store without understanding the agricultural processes behind production. This event aims to educate students on the realities of food sourcing and build appreciation for the work of farmers and ranchers.

The details

The Living Ag Classroom event took place at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds, where students visited various learning stations to explore different agricultural commodities. The goal was to provide hands-on education about crops, livestock, and food production, giving the fourth graders a deeper understanding of where their food comes from.

  • The Living Ag Classroom event was held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
  • The event will continue every day this week.

The players

NDSU Extension

North Dakota State University Extension, which partnered with the North Dakota Ag Foundation to host the Living Ag Classroom event.

Karla Meikle

The state 4-H activities coordinator with NDSU Extension, who spoke about the importance of the event in educating students on the origins of their food.

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What they’re saying

“There's so many kids who don't know exactly where their food comes from. They're so used to just going to the grocery store and purchasing, you know, their milk, their butter, their eggs, their hamburger, and they don't know exactly where that originates from.”

— Karla Meikle, State 4-H Activities Coordinator, NDSU Extension (inforum.com)

The takeaway

This annual Living Ag Classroom event provides a valuable opportunity for young students to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the agricultural processes that bring their food to the table, bridging the gap between modern grocery shopping and the realities of food production.