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Highlands Today

Volunteers gear up for Ag-Venture, steak dinner

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By CHRISTY SWIFT

For Highlands Today

Published: November 3, 2009

SEBRING - The hay was a little late in coming Saturday, but other than that, things were on track for the 10th annual Highlands County Ag-Venture.

Held at the fairgrounds, the event teaches over 1,200 third graders per year about local agriculture through 14 hands-on stations, but this teaching tool is really a community event.

Representatives from Highlands County's beef, dairy, citrus and caladium industries take time out to teach the kids about their work. There are booths on alligators, beekeeping, and soil and water conservation, as well.

But it's not just the 8-9 year-olds who get to enjoy Ag-Venture. Organizers also host a steak dinner to kick off the event.

This year's dinner is today from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds, rain or shine.

The menu includes steak, baked potato, green beans, corn, a roll and homemade ice cream for dessert, all for $10 per person. Kids get a meal for $5.

"It's our thank you to the community for all the support that they give us," said co-chairwoman Darlene Phypers.

Along with the steak dinner, diners can also take a tour of the Ag-Venture booths and learn about the hands-on activities the third graders will be doing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

They'll also get to enjoy gospel music by Caleb's Cadence and local bluegrass tunes while they eat.

The over 150 Ag-Venture volunteers needed to put on the event include youth from the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the Last Chance Ranch.

In fact, it was boys from the Last Chance Ranch who helped unload tons of hay from the delivery truck Saturday, and the FFA had a contest to decide which young people get to volunteer since they had so much interest.

"They are hard-working kids," said Phypers of the young volunteers. The adult labor is appreciated as well. "This really is a community effort," Phypers added.

Tickets for the steak dinner can be bought in advance at Happiness Farms in Lake Placid, Glisson's Animal Supply in Sebring, and the fairgrounds across from the Sebring High School.

They can also be ordered ahead and held at the door by calling 441-1317 or 441-1312. Tickets will be sold at the door as availability permits.

Takeout is available, but Phypers said, "We urge people to stay and eat with us and see the stations."

As an extra incentive to stick around, Phypers mentioned that takeout orders will not include the popular homemade ice cream, but will contain a cookie instead.

For more information on Ag-Venture, visit http://www.highlandscountyag-venture.com.

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