By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Kids Ag Day was created three decades ago to give children an experience with agriculture and better understand its role in the economy. The event in Great Bend was able to provide that experience Wednesday to approximately 400 fourth-grade students from schools in Claflin, Hoisington, Ellinwood, Otis-Bison, Pawnee Rock and Great Bend.
With stations and demonstrations set up, the students toured the Diamond K Farm, owned by Josh Koelsch.
"It is a lot of work getting everything ready but it is exciting to be part of Kids Ag Day, be able to host it each year and give opportunities to all of these fourth graders to learn new things about agriculture," said Koelsch. "It's exciting to a part of that and carrying on the success of it over the years from what my dad, Ron Koelsch, used to do with it as well."
The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce helped celebrate the 30th anniversary of Kids Ag Day that involves numerous volunteers. Koelsch was a fourth grader that experienced the first Kids Ag Day and now hosts the event.
"Being part of the first one and seeing the changes over time is great," said Koelsch. "Seeing new fourth graders every year, knowing I was the first one, knowing what it was like...it's great to see new generations of volunteers step up. It's exciting to see people serve."
Along with informative talks about crops, livestock and machinery, there were hayrack rides and a petting zoo.
