From the Chamber
The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, through its Ag-Business Committee, proudly hosted the 31st Annual Kids Ag Day on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Each year, this signature event opens the world of agriculture to nearly 400 fourth-grade students from schools across Claflin, Hoisington, Ellinwood, Otis-Bison, Pawnee Rock, and Great Bend. For more than three decades, Kids Ag Day has invited students to experience the people, technology, and traditions that make agriculture the backbone of our region’s economy and identity.
This year’s event was a true showcase of community spirit. When wet conditions made the fields at Diamond K temporarily inaccessible, the Barton County Fair Association graciously stepped up by allowing the use of the fairgrounds. Their hospitality, along with the flexibility of our sponsors and volunteers, ensured that not a single student missed out on this profound experience.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the many hands that made Kids Ag Day possible:
· Over 100 dedicated volunteers, many of whom have been with us since the beginning.
· Our Chamber Ag-Business Committee, whose energy and leadership drive the event’s planning and success.
· Eagle Media Local & Live, whose generous sponsorship amplifies this program’s reach.
· Our school districts and educators bringing their classes ready to learn, explore, and dream.
· And of course, our community sponsors, whose support fuels the teaching moments, hands-on learning, and memories made each year.
A Day of Discovery
On event day, students travel aboard tractor-pulled hayrack rides, stopping to explore interactive stations. From crop production and animal care to conservation practices and farm machinery, the students experienced firsthand the wonder of modern agriculture. Technology—from Dr. Niederee’s demonstrations to drone applications—helped spotlight the future of farming alongside interactive experiences with livestock, pollinators, and conservation practices.
Fourth-grade teacher Jaimee Beugelsdijk shared her appreciation, saying, “I cannot say enough about the level of organization and welcoming at Ag Day. Everything was engaging, leaving no time for students to get bored. I was so impressed with how much I learned myself, from technology and ranching to beekeeping and conservation. The career station was so important—it really showed students the variety of opportunities in farming.”
Supporting Elevate GBK
Kids Ag Day directly supports the Chamber’s Elevate GBK vision by:
· Developing the Workforce of Tomorrow through early exposure to agriculture careers.
· Investing in Youth & Families by creating memorable, impactful learning experiences.
· Strengthening Business & Community Connections through collaboration with local producers, agribusinesses, and volunteers.
Join the Tradition
With many volunteers serving since the earliest days of Kids Ag Day, we are always eager to welcome new faces who share a love of agriculture and a passion for connecting with our youth. If you would like to be part of next year’s tradition, a volunteer registration link will be available on the Chamber website.
We invite Chamber members, businesses, and community leaders to consider sponsoring or volunteering for this meaningful event. Your support ensures that we continue to invest in youth engagement and workforce development.
To learn more about getting involved, contact the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce at 620-792-2401 or email [email protected].