Did you know that the poultry industry is the number one agricultural commodity in North Carolina? This means that poultry production is extremely important for our community to learn about!
As part of our local Extension, New Hanover County 4-H offers a hands-on, 21-day Embryology School Enrichment Program designed primarily for 2nd-grade classrooms. Through this immersive experience, students explore the life cycle of a chicken by incubating and hatching eggs. Along the way, they engage in scientific observation, learn basic biology concepts, and gain insight into agriculture by maintaining incubators, candling eggs, and caring for newly hatched chicks.
This program provides an invaluable “learning-by-doing” opportunity for youth in New Hanover County. Over the past year alone, the program reached 1,290 students, many of whom were introduced to agriculture for the very first time. As educators and extension agents, we have seen firsthand how impactful this program is in raising awareness about our food production system. Students are highly engaged throughout the experience, asking thoughtful questions and developing a deeper curiosity about animal life cycles. This plays a vital role in helping young learners understand where their food comes from, especially within urban communities.
Because of this impact, teachers in New Hanover County Schools consistently praise the program, often describing it as one of the most memorable and milestone experiences of the second-grade year. Many of these students leave the session eager to learn more about local agriculture and animal sciences.
Looking forward, New Hanover 4-H is currently developing new enrichment activities and partnerships to expand the program’s reach and impact. These updates aim to provide even more opportunities for youth to learn about agriculture, both inside and outside the classroom, while connecting with local farmers and educators who provide food, clothing, and other essential goods for our communities.
Cecilia Tadt is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for N.C. Cooperative Extension in New Hanover County, located at the New Hanover County Arboretum. She can be reached at cecilia_tadt@ncsu.edu.
