Pupils from Berezovka village get a visit to the Nizhny Novgorod Agriculture Research Institute.
In a small village in Russia, a group of schoolchildren are embarking on an educational journey that could shape their future careers. Led by local teacher Tatiana Paklina, the students from Berezovskaya School are currently on an excursion at the Nizhny Novgorod Institute of Agricultural Management.
One of the students, Nikita Plotnikov, has been cultivating his own garden since the age of 7 and has shown a keen interest in plant breeding. His determination to pursue a career in agriculture has grown stronger after witnessing the work of selectors at the Institute.
Nikita's fellow students are also experiencing a growing interest in agricultural professions. Alexei Ivinenko, head of the experimental field at the Institute, believes that such trips can help rural children pursue agricultural education and continue working in their communities.
The excursion is aimed at sparking an interest in agricultural careers among rural children, encouraging them to stay in the village after graduation. While the children are familiar with agricultural crops growing in fields and gardens, the origin and development of new varieties are unknown to many villagers.
Tatiana Paklina, the initiator of the excursion, found the Institute of Agricultural Management to be an ideal place for the children to learn. During the visit, they were given hands-on experiences and insights into the world of agriculture.
Vladimir Selekhov, a sorghum selector, explained the process of creating new crop varieties by crossing initial varieties and selecting plants with desirable traits. Alina Korneva, a student from Berezovsky School, found the explanation of the importance of phosphorus for plants particularly interesting during the excursion.
Agricultural excursions and field tours, such as this one, serve to educate visitors and participants about agricultural practices, sustainability, and careers in farming. These experiences help demystify agriculture as a career and can inspire students to consider working in this sector.
Though specific studies on Russia are scarce, the general educational value of such excursions supports a positive impact on student interest. By providing experiential learning opportunities that connect students directly to the land, farming processes, and agricultural livelihoods, these experiences help foster long-term interest in agriculture.
Tatyana Paklina is pleased that at least half of the group has become interested in agricultural professions after talking to plant breeders and agronomists. As Nikita Plotnikov continues to nurture his passion for plant breeding, he aims to go to 11th grade and then to an agricultural university.
Sources: [1] Collectivization in Soviet Ukraine [2] Kansas hemp industry tours [3] Agroecological farm visits in Europe [4] Every Kid Outdoors initiative in the US
Nikita Plotnikov, having already shown a keen interest in agriculture from a young age, finds his determination to pursue a career in agriculture growing stronger after witnessing the work at the Nizhny Novgorod Institute of Agricultural Management. This educational visit provides experiential learning opportunities, helping to foster long-term interest in agriculture and personal growth through learning.
Experiences such as these excursions, aimed at rural children, can inspire students like Alina Korneva to consider careers in farming, providing them with valuable insights into the world of agriculture and the processes behind the creation of new crop varieties. Such experiences can ultimately lead to continued self-development and education in agricultural professions, as demonstrated by Nikita's aspirations to further his education at an agricultural university.
