The sights and sounds of Louisiana agriculture filled the Parker Coliseum Saturday as Baton Rouge area families turned out for the first-ever AgMagic event.
Debbie Hurlbert, an instructor with 4-H Youth Development, said AgMagic occurred this year in place of the 4-H Mini Farm.
Hurlbert said moving the event from a small building near Parker Coliseum to the coliseum itself allowed event organizers to add larger and more interactive exhibits.
Among the attractions were an animal sciences area, giving children the opportunity to witness sheep-shearing and cow milking, and a “Farming the Waters” exhibit featuring catfish, alligators and turtles.
In addition, visitors could explore the “World of Wonder,” an exhibit on Louisiana’s renewable natural resources, including wildlife and forest products.
Karen Robinson of Baton Rouge brought her two granddaughters to AgMagic to let them see where some of the products they use come from.
“I think it’s fantastic,” Robinson said. “I think it’s very exciting for them. They’re not afraid.”
Robinson’s granddaughters enjoyed the animal exhibits most of all. Four-year-old Holly said her favorite part was petting the baby chicks, while six-year-old Hannah said she had fun touching the sheep.
Clarke Battle, a 1971 University graduate and resident of Metairie, La., said he brought his three year-old daughter Callie to AgMagic to let her see a different side of the state.
“We’re from the city, so she’s not exposed to this very much,” Battle said. “I really wanted her to see the agricultural side of Louisiana.”
Callie also seemed to enjoy the animal exhibits the most, saying she liked feeding the cattle and seeing the pigs.
Although AgMagic was entertaining for parents and children alike, event organizers said they also hoped to educate people.
“One of the major messages the AgCenter is trying to convey is the connection between the resources that we need every day to the trees, the livestock and the farm,” said Richard Vlosky, the director of the Louisiana Forest Products Development Center in the School of Renewable Natural Resources.
Vlosky said he wanted visitors to come away from AgMagic with a sense of where resources come from, how important they are and how they are transformed into usable products.
Paul Coreil, vice-chancellor and director of the LSU AgCenter, said the event also was a good example of the University trying to educate the general public.
“We’re really trying to engage them in an understanding of agriculture in their daily lives,” Coreil said.
AgMagic will continue in the Parker Coliseum through Thursday.