DICKINSON — Despite the chilly weather and a brisk 25 mph wind, families gathered for Kids Day on the Farm at Dickinson State University, an event that allows children in third grade and younger—along with teachers, parents, friends, and relatives—to engage firsthand with farm life.
The event, which has been running for almost 30 years, allows children in third grade and younger—along with teachers, parents, friends and relatives—to experience a petting zoo, including miniature horses and donkeys, goats, sheep, calves, and for the first time this year, a Texas Longhorn.
The event's main goal has broad purposes. For the community, it’s meant to bridge a division explaining where food comes from and how it goes from the farm to the table. “The general population, particularly the younger segment of the population, has no idea where food comes from,” said Dr. Chip Poland.
Despite North Dakota’s large agricultural industry, according to Poland, most members of the community are unaware of what a farmer or racher do, and believe that food simply comes from the grocery store. “Part of our job for that younger demographic is to introduce them in a fun and interactive way where food comes from and to understand what agriculture means,” added Poland.
The event typically draws between 1,300 and 1,800 children plus their families. Ashley Swanson, a local resident, brought her children, four-year-old Leo and two-year-old Jackson, to the event for the second consecutive year. "It's crucial for kids to get this direct interaction with farm animals, especially if they don’t have relatives who farm," Swanson said.
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The event serves as both a community service project and a skill development opportunity for the participating students. Many of these students, who have prior experience and are members of Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H, play a crucial role in organizing and managing the event. With over 50 students involved, their efforts ensure the event operates efficiently, even with minimal faculty supervision.
Representatives from the North Dakota Farm Bureau, North Dakota Farmers Union, Soil Conservation District, and Collegiate Farm Bureau, along with Theodore Roosevelt Scholars, were actively involved, providing interactive displays and offering assistance throughout the event.
For the future Poland hopes that with a planned expansion of the outdoor arena, the future Kids Day on the Farm will be larger. “The desire then would be when we’re done this space will be 50 percent larger or more than what is right now, which means we’re going to be cahllend with how do we fill a bigger evet… we’re looking forward to that.
Poland emphasized the event's ongoing tradition, reassuring locals that Kids Day on the Farm will continue to be a staple event for years to come. "The third thursday in april, regardless of the weather, put it on your calendar. We’ll have Kids Day at Dickinson State," he stated.
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