In an effort to introduce students to the importance of Illinois agriculture production and use of 21st-century technology in today's farming, fourth graders at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School had the unique opportunity to meet with a representative from the Cook County Farm Bureau throughout the afternoon on Thursday, Sept. 29.

Sarah Fine Koukol, a school presenter with the Countryside-based organization, paid a visit to Cicero as part of the farm bureau's fourth grade "Intro to Agriculture in Illinois" initiative — a free, hour-long program which allows students to discover how Illinois agriculture production and processing meets local and world demands for food, fiber and energy.

With introductions on basic agriculture information using a farm-to-table model, Koukol's presentation allowed Lincoln students to gain an understanding of the importance of both urban and rural farming and test their knowledge of the ways in which crops and livestock are incorporated into our daily lives.

Through interactive demonstrations and slideshow presentations, Koukol's presentation covered everything from the major productions of corn and soybeans in Illinois to mapping out where farms are located throughout both the state and county and even the newest forms of farming, including hydroponics aquaponics and aeroponics.

For 102 years, the Cook County Farm Bureau has been dedicated to bridging the gap between farmers and urban consumers, specifically through programs like those hosted at Lincoln, targeting youth to engage in conversations about food and the shared values between Illinois farmers and families.

For more information about the Cook County Farm Bureau, visit cookcfb.org.