AgMagic, the LSU AgCenter’s premier agricultural exhibit, is coming to the central region of Louisiana for the first time Nov. 14-15 at the State Evacuation Shelter and DeWitt Livestock Facility in Alexandria, La.

AgMagic Cenla is an inaugural event promoting agriculture awareness, said AgCenter Central Region director Tara Smith.

“This program is the ultimate student experience in making valuable connections to agriculture and the environment in a way that is relevant in our daily lives,” she said.

The event will host about 900 third-graders during the two-day event. School groups can register for tours online on the LSU AgCenter website at www.lsuagcenter.com/agmagic.

A series of five interactive exhibits led by AgCenter experts together with youth and adult volunteers will offer a wide variety of agriculture-related experiences developed to promote hands-on learning.

“Teachers will find many agricultural literacy classroom connections that promote science and math skills and encourage students to practice life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork,” said Esther Boe, AgCenter Central Region 4-H coordinator.

Tours will feature exhibits on forestry, nutrition, horticulture, livestock and 4-H youth development.

The forestry station will highlight Louisiana’s No. 1 agriculture enterprise, emphasizing forest products, wildlife habitat and ecology. Youth will have the opportunity to learn to identify wildlife species by their tracks.

Activities in the nutrition and health area will emphasize the importance of sharing family mealtime to build strong family relationships and encourage healthy behaviors.

Plant science lessons will take students from farm to table, where they will discover facts about fruits and vegetables, learn about the importance of crops and see a cotton gin demonstration.

Students can also learn about animal production and the products they provide in the 4-H Mini Farm exhibit. The lesson will focus on the poultry industry and include a hatchery with live chicks. The tour will also include live beef and dairy cattle, goats, sheep, swine and rabbits.

Children will make and taste their own “parts of a plant salad” and practice hand-washing techniques when they visit the germ cave, a black-light environment that demonstrates how germs are spread.

In the “Getting to Know 4-H” station, youth will learn about 4-H clubs, get to design a model aircraft and explore the science of flight.