Tulare, CA – Jose Magaña of Waukena Elementary School was crowned winner of the second annual Tulare County Agribee by spelling and defining “sire.” After four rounds, Magaña bested competitors from six local rural schools.
The Agribee is a define and spell competition that promotes agriculture education in schools and gives students a rewarding opportunity to learn about farms, food and fiber. Students were provided a list of agricultural words to study. The words were called in random order by the Word Caller. The program originated in Butte County with the local Farm Bureau office. Kerissa Chapman, Ag Education Manager at the International Agri-Center®, brought the competition to Tulare County in 2019.
Local fifth grade classes held individual Agribees to determine the students who would compete at the County Level competition at the International Agri-Center®. Two fifth grade students participated from each of the following schools: Tipton Elementary, Sundale Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Pixley Elementary, Waukena Elementary and St. Aloysius School.
Tyra Gomez of Liberty School finished second and Valeria Velasco of Tipton School was in third place.
“We are proud of all the students that participated in this year’s Agribee,” said Kerissa Chapman. “As a fifth-grade student, standing in front of a panel of judges and an audience can make anyone nervous. The Agribee provides students the opportunity to learn agriculture words and a chance to practice their public speaking. Our mission is to educate the world about agriculture, and the Agribee is a great way to share with our young people.”
Ali Macedo served as Word Caller and Mistress of Ceremonies, while the Agribee Judges were Farmer Ray Van Beek, Ag Education supporter Dan Waldner and Executive Director of the Tulare County Farm Bureau Tricia Stever-Blattler. Committee members Nancy Gregg, Jane Machado and Serena Swall helped facilitate the event.
The event is made available to local fifth grade teachers and students in area school districts by invitation only. If your fifth-grade class is interested in participating in the Agribee, please contact Kerissa Chapman at kerissa@farmshow.org.
To learn more about our ag education events or AgVentures!® Learning Center and Ag Museum, please visit our website at www.iacagventures.org.
###
International Agri-Center® is home to the AgVentures!® Learning Center and Museum, World Ag Expo®, the California Antique Farm Equipment Show®, and the Harvest Festival, and has a wide range of facility rentals available for any size event. Find more information at www.internationalagricenter.org.