Agricultural literacy is declining nationwide, particularly in urban areas, despite agriculture’s essential role in sustaining communities. In Dallas County, farmland has decreased by 17% since 2017, and for many urban youth, agriculture feels disconnected from daily life. To address this gap, the Dallas County 4-H Agricultural Literacy Program engages youth in grades 3-12 through hands-on experiences in entomology and beekeeping - programs tailored for metropolitan settings. These initiatives aim to reconnect youth with the origin of food, promote environmental stewardship, and introduce career pathways in agriculture and natural resources. In 2025, the Constellation of Living Memorials initiated a ten-week entomology and beekeeping program that brought together 55 youth and 10 volunteers, supported by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, and community partners, including the Inspired Vision Compassion Center.

These partnerships provided expertise, resources, and unique teaching spaces. Post-program evaluations revealed significant gains: 78% demostrated understanding of bee biology, 80% recognized pollinators’ environmental importance, and 87% achnowledged insects’ vital role in ecosystems. Youth remain actively engaged with the Constellation of Living Memorials 4-H program, renewing neglected cemeteries and transforming them into outdoor teaching laboratories for conservation and urban wildlife education. By positioning Extension as a vital resource in urban settings, this initiative builds agricultural awareness, leadership, and teamwork among youth.