Mahaska Third Graders Visit The Farm
Austin Lanphier was helping to teach ATV safety to group of students from Ms. Stout’s class from Oskaloosa.
Eddyville, Iowa – Visiting the farm is something new for many kids, and all of the 3rd Graders of Mahaska County had their chance to do just that on Friday.
Students from Peoria Christian School, Oskaloosa Christian School, North Mahaska, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and Oskaloosa descended upon the Duane and Vivian Jager Farm north of Eddyville.
During the past year, many of the students have seen and heard from Farm Bureau Farm in the Classroom Coordinators, who talks to students about how the farm impacts their everyday lives. Adams does this as part of a project “Ag In The Classroom” with the Mahaska County Farm Bureau.
This year, about 250 students enjoyed the sunshine, learned about bees, lambs, goats, calves and squealing piglets. With all of the volunteers, there were a total of 350 people, or so, who took part in the day’s activity.
North Mahaska FFA member Austin Lanphier was helping to teach ATV safety to group of students from Ms. Stout’s class from Oskaloosa. Lanphier was just one of many FFA students who volunteered to help during the day. His was one of 14 different stations that students made their way to during the day.
“They are learning a lot about agriculture right now” said Adams, as the students made their way from one station to another. Classes were broken up into two groups, and each group then had an ambassador who helped them navigate their way through all of the different activities.
OES 3rd grader Shakina enjoyed the 2014 Mahaska County Ag Day.
This is the fifth year for the program, “Ag In The Classroom”. Six years ago, Adams had heard about the other programs like this throughout the state. She went and observed a few of those before starting the program here.
“Ag In The Classroom” subjects might include topics like how cheeseburgers come from the farm or how pizza does. Adams said that many students don’t realize the connection between the farm and the food they eat every day.
For Adams, one of the most interesting parts to the day is seeing the students take what has been talked about in the classroom and then having them get to see it for real. During the year, Adams talks about farmers and what they do, “They get to meet those farmers today”, said Adams. Adams visits most every classroom once a month.
When it comes to favorites, the ‘pig bus’ is probably the students favorite station. Many students and teachers got their picture taken with a piglet.
Karen wanted to thank all of the volunteers who helped make the day possible, and also to the Mahaska County Cattlemen Assoc. who helped to provide the lunch.
