During National Agriculture Week in March, Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors educated kindergarten through eighth grade students on the topic of weed science through their interactive lessons, I Didn’t Plant That Plant.
Drawing upon the Fields, Food and You: Cultivating Global Agriculture Awareness curriculum, the 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors facilitated hands-on classroom activities that introduced students to the identification, impact and management of invasive and undesirable plant species.
The lessons emphasized how understanding weeds' presence and behavior is critical to both crop production and environmental stewardship.
The I Didn’t Plant That Plant lessons were designed to spark curiosity while promoting scientific literacy and critical thinking.
Through activities that modeled real-world agricultural challenges, students explored the effects of weed growth on land productivity, biodiversity and food systems.
Since the establishment of the Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassador program in 2019, classroom engagement has become a central component of the program’s outreach efforts. This year’s initiative reached over 1,200 youth across more than 15 counties in Minnesota.
Prior to delivering classroom content, the 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors participated in in-depth training focused on classroom management, curriculum adaptation and audience engagement strategies to ensure age-appropriate and inclusive learning experiences.
As the program continues to grow, the Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors remain dedicated to equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to better understand and advocate for agriculture.
Applications for the 2024–2025 4-H Agriculture Ambassador cohort will open on Aug. 1. Youth in grades 10 and above are invited to apply and contribute to advancing agricultural literacy across the state.
Learn more about the Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors.