In an aim to give local students a taste of conservation- and agriculture-related fields, Friday’s AgriPalooza conservation festival brought hundreds of fifth-grade students from Marquette and Alger counties to Michigan State University’s South Farm in Chatham to learn from over 30 conservation professionals about everything from soil science to invasive species.

The festival, which has been taking place for over 10 years, is a partnership between the Alger Conservation District, the Marquette County Conservation District and the Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, organizers said.

Around 350 students arrived throughout the day to visit the farm and rotate through numerous learning stations that covered topics such as conservation, natural resources, farming and more, Marquette County Conservation District Urban Agriculture Assistant Coordinator Jaime Beranek said.

The festival aims to expose students to a wide variety of potential conservation-related studies and career opportunities, Beranek said, noting she hopes even “one student finds one presentation that they’re really passionate about and can follow that passion.”

Attendees of Friday’s AgriPalooza at Michigan State University's South Farm in Chatham are pictured in front of the farm’s barn and silos. Around 350 students fifth-grade students from Marquette and Alger counties were in attendance at the event, which aimed to give local youth an interactive, hands-on experience with agriculture, conservation and more. (Journal photos by Cecilia Brown)

“We just want to light a spark, whatever spark that might be in each student,” she said.

The activities and stations focused on giving students an interactive learning experience, complete with hayrides, visits to goats and baby cows, as well as games on produce safety, migration, crops and much more.

“I know I’m a hands-on learner and I know a lot of students learn that way,” Beranek said. “Just being able to interact or run around and play a game, sometimes that’s the best way to deliver a concept.”

One station featured National Park Service staff from the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, who helped educate students on invasive species in the area, and what individuals can do to help stop the spread. One major way to do so, they said, is to use a boot brush and thoroughly clean any gear or equipment before bringing it to a new outdoor location or body of water.

Overall, AgriPalooza aimed to give students “an appreciation for the environment, a sense of place, where you live and where you grow up,” Beranek said, noting she hopes the festival could help educate students on “the natural resources that are around you that are your responsibility to take care of for future generations.”

Students in Ann Morrison’s fifth-grade class at Mather Elementary School are pictured boarding a hayride Friday at AgriPalooza. The hayride was one of many activities available for students during the conservation festival, which gave attendees to learn from over 30 conservation professionals with games, hands-on demonstrations and even a visit to the farm’s goats and cows. (Journal photo by Cecilia Brown)

Organizers were thankful for the time of the presenters, South Farm staff and donations from Super One, Econo Foods, the Marquette Food Co-op, Jilbert’s Dairy and Double Trouble Entertainment that made the event possible, they said.

“We just can’t thank everybody who helps out with the festival enough,” Beranek said.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is cbrown@miningjournal.net.