Dozen of Imperial Valley teachers participate in Ag Tours

HOLTVILLE, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- For the first time, the University of Calfornia Farm Smart program invited local educators to tour the agricultural landscape of the Imperial Valley.

Stacey Amparano, the Program Manager for Farm Smart hopes the tour will help teachers spark an interest in students at an early age.

"Show them our local agriculture. So they can gain a better appreciation for the booming industry that we have here. So that they can take it back to their classrooms and share that with their students."

With the farmers aging out, it's important to replenish the industry and show students the careers in agriculture that are available to them.

"So we want to make sure that we get individuals back to the valley that are from here. They know the value of our agriculture and our natural resources," said Amparano.

Debbie Campbell, a middle school teacher said it's vital that students know where the food on their plates comes from.

"They're going to be the future consumers. If they or we make decisions that are based in not understanding, then that's to the detriment of our own food supply. And the food supply of the nation, and the world."

Campbell hopes more information about agriculture will be applied in local schools.

Campbell added, "They buy into it. They understand more about plants and animals. It can be tied into our curriculum. So I look forward to doing that. When I told my class that I was going to do this today, they were interested and excited. So I can't wait to go back and share it with them."