USDA Announces Agventure, a New Online Interactive Farm Game

April 11, 2003

Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator James R. Little announced the release of Agventure, an interactive farm-based computer game. The game was launched at the 2003 National 4-H Conference SHARE FAIR, where FSA and other organizations exchanged innovative approaches and resources with 4-H youth from across the nation.

"Agventure is a cyber-tour game of a typical American farm to help Americans learn more about rural life and U.S. agriculture," said Little. "The game also serves as an educational tool to inform users about historical aspects of food production in America."

The game, which can be accessed on FSA's Web site at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/fsakids/ is geared toward school-age children, although players of all ages will be challenged. Zip-the-Bee, a lively digital host, accompanies players as they navigate through the game. Players use the computer mouse to highlight objects such as a tractor, various farm implements, household tools and barnyard animals. Each object triggers a multiple-choice question that tests one's knowledge of agriculture

practices, issues and trivia. A few examples of what players might encounter include: * How many glasses of milk does the average cow give in a year? Answer: 34,448. * What is a buffer strip? Answer: A band of vegetation next to a body of water, helping keep soil and nutrients on the land and out of water supplies. * The United States produces how much of the world's corn?

Answer: 40 percent.

"Agventure is designed to raise awareness about the global aspects of agriculture and promote career possibilities to America's youth," said Little. "From growing food and fiber to selling it at the supermarket, over 22 million people work in some facet of the agriculture industry. It's a major part of our global economy, as well as our daily life."