CINCINNATI, Ohio — In an attempt to connect agriculture with children from inner cities, Ohio 4-H is doing its part by bringing agricultural science to two urban elementary schools. The concept, which began in March 2014, is in its second full academic year – and word is out that this program is working.

"The idea is to increase a student’s awareness that food and agriculture are viable career options, even in neighborhoods with little green space and limited local employment opportunities," said Tony Staubach, Ohio 4-H program manager.

The effort is called the Ohio 4-H Agriscience in the City program and has targeted Cincinnati and Cleveland as its testing grounds. Special legislative funding is in place to help reach K-6 students.

During the school year, Staubach, along with 4-H Program Manager Rob Isner, met with students once a week, supplementing the school’s academic program with hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities related to food and agriculture.

At Rothenberg Preparatory Academy in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Staubach worked with nearly 500 students on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) projects between March 2004 and May 2015. Activities ranged from making homemade Silly Putty and hatching chicks, to creating and launching rockets made from 2-liter bottles, to building aquaponics systems to raise fish and growing kale on top of the tanks.

"During this time, a survey of students found that those who believe it is possible to farm in the city increased from 54 to 74 percent, and students indicating they want to work in food or farming increased from 15 to 31 percent," he said.

According to Staubach, all the students said they believed farmers need STEM knowledge to be successful. "That’s an excellent indicator of their understanding of the concept of STEM education."

In Cleveland, Isner worked with nearly 600 students at George Washington Carver STEM School during the 2014-15 school year.

"When I started the program, most students said science was their least favorite subject," Isner said. "Now, more than half say it’s their favorite. What’s more, when the students miss school on agriscience day, they want to know what they’ve missed. So on Fridays I offer makeup classes and everyone seems happy to be there."

Both Isner and Staubach also hold summer programs and after-school sessions, where they’re introducing the concept of traditional 4-H clubs.

"I’m finding that many of the students are a generation or two removed from 4-H, but their grandparents or great-grandparents were members," Staubach said.

"So when they go home and say something about 4-H or recite the 4-H pledge, their grandparents visit the school and are really excited."