On Friday, Sept., 19, the Ag Academy Pike County visited Auburn University to tour its College of Agriculture.

While in Auburn students toured the fisheries unit and the equine unit. Students began their tour on Ag Hill with Amanda Martin giving helpful information to the junior and senior academy members about admission and scholarships. While talking with Hill, three of the classmates volunteered to try an energy bar containing cricket flour.

Next the students went to the fisheries and met Dr. Tracy Cline, the fisheries director and coordinator, who advised students of the many opportunities available to students. Students also met a graduate student, who showed the academy members his research experiment which involved trout and catfish production. The students fed the fish for the day and were able to view the aquaponic systems, where fish produce the nutrients that help plants to grow, and those nutrients then flow into the plants with the help of pipes.

The last stop for the students was the equine unit where they met and pet the horses that Auburn students are raising there.

Students viewed a variety of different breeds that are raised at the facility. Students went to the stables where horses used by the equestrienne team were stabled, and learned about their habits and routines. The students learned that the equine unit trains Auburn students in horse management skills and offers a halter breaking class.

The Ag Academy students have gained valuable knowledge on what careers they can pursue after high school and became more aware of career choices in the agriculture field.