By Toi Degree

Rowan Cooperative Extension

Join us for Rowan Agriculture Appreciation Night.  The event will be held Friday, July 28, from 6-9 p.m. at the Country Life Museum at Sloan Park, located at 550 Sloan Road, Mount Ulla.

The event will give you a glance of the museum that is soon to open.  If you have been following the progress of this museum, you know that this is a project that started last year with “a vision of the museum to educate the present and future generation about the rural way of life of the American farm families,” according to Randy Elium of the Carolina Antique Power Association.

The building is almost complete and is expected to display a variety of old farm equipment that will include tractors of all kinds, wall hangings and a plethora of other items that will depict how life was in the yesteryears.

The years of the items have not been determined.  Since Rowan County was founded in 1753, items could go back to the 1700s.  Items can be donated and will rotate in and out.  It is hoped that schools will come through and allow students to see how their early ancestors lived.

The Agriculture Appreciation Night will be family-friendly and feature free dinner and a movie.  Dinner will consist of hot dogs, brats and hamburgers.  Ice cream will also be available.  Activities for kids will include corn hole and balloon animal making.  This is an event for the whole family to celebrate Rowan County agriculture.

There will be a viewing of the documentary “Farmland.” This film profiles six young farmers from different production backgrounds.  Most Americans have never stepped foot on a farm or ranch or even talked to the people who raise the food we eat.

“Farmland” takes an intimate look at the lives of farmers and a rancher in their 20s, all of whom are now responsible for running their farming business.  Through the eyes of the director, you’ll step inside the world of farming for a first-hand glimpse into the lives of young farmers and ranchers.  You’ll come to learn more about their high-risk/high reward jobs and passion for a way of life that has been passed down from generation to generation.

To RSVP for the event, call the Rowan County Center at 704-216-8970 or register online at go.ncsu.edu/rowanagappreciation.  We look forward to seeing you as we take a closer look at agriculture and learn more about what it takes to get food on our plates each day.  Hope to see you there!

Toi N. Degree, Family & Consumer Education agent with N.C. Cooperative Extension (704-216-8970 or toi_degree@ncsu.edu).