Julia P. Bryant Elementary School in Statesboro showcased various stations of community agriculture at its fourth annual Farm Day event, giving pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students the experience of what farmers do for the community.
On Friday, March 14, 2025, excitement was at an all-time high as Julia P. Bryant Elementary students arrived at school with lots of energy as they were prepared for an exciting Farm Day.
The students were astonished to see their entire playground transformed into a farm full of fun activities and livestock roaming throughout.
The kids were given the opportunity to get a feel of what it’s like being on the farm working at various stations around the playground, shaking up butter, planting and playing in the soil, meeting all of the livestock, and jumping in bales of hay.
Many of the stations were not only interactive, making things fun for the kids, but they also taught each student about the aspects of the community's agriculture.
Pre-K teacher Brandi Bittner, the originator of the event, created the event back in 2021 in an effort to teach all of the students about agriculture.
Bittner, alongside Suzanne Coyle, collaborated together to create one of Julia P. Bryant Elementary School’s most exciting events for students and parents.
“It’s just incredible to see all the kids and even adults learn about these things. I had a kindergarten teacher tell me, 'Oh, I didn't know peanuts grow from the ground.' And it's like, wow, even adults don't know. So to see this is just amazing. Really. It makes me proud to know that my school can offer this and know that children can learn from this experience,” said Bittner.
Julia P. Bryant Elementary School Farm Day was a success with the help of many contributors making the event what it turned out to be. Members of the community and parents volunteered to offer their assistance at the event alongside many of the school's faculty.
The event had massive outside support from the Georgia Peanut Commission, Georgia Cotton Commission, Statesboro High School Beta Club members, and Statesboro High School FFA members.
Jarrod Creasy and Becca Creasy, the owners of the 920 Cattle & Company, showcased their own cattle and horses to the students from their family farm in efforts of educating the kids about livestock and the impact agriculture has on their lives.
“I think it's something about being able to share a passion. It's about being able to feed people the sense of community, knowing that you can educate these kids and really have an understanding of where they're at in their lives, but then also let them understand that their food is part of their community," Jarrod said.
"And that really is the key factor; that's where we find so much dear to our hearts, to be able to share our passion and involvement in the ag industry, because it all goes back down to: it ain't coming from the grocery store; it's coming off the farm and that's very important.”
Julia P. Bryant Elementary School looks to continue growing events like this in efforts of finding new and innovative ways of incorporating many of Georgia’s Early Learning and Development Standards, better preparing their students for the future -- and letting them have fun while doing it.
