The Senses Bring To Life Pioneer Times

Laura DeCook (right) helps preschool kids get a taste of maple syrup at the day camp hosted at Nelson Pioneer Farm.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Taste, touch, smells, and more helped preschool-age kids learn more about life as a pioneer at Nelson Pioneer Farm this week.

Nelson Pioneer Farm Curator Margaret Spiegel talked about the day camps, and all the assistance from Laura DeCook, Mahaska County Conservation, to help make the best experience possible for the young visitors.

How did pioneers get their food? What did it taste like? How was it made?

These questions were explored as homemade butter was made. Kids tasted several different fruits and different sweeteners such as molasses. The kids preferred the maple syrup over molasses. “They did not like the molasses, which is not terribly shocking,” shared Spiegel.

The learning through senses continued as they learned about goats, and how pioneers would have raised them for milk and meat.

Others senses were brought into the learning experience, as the kids planted bean seeds which they were able to take home.

The Nelson Pioneer Farm has been busy nearly all summer with a wide range of activities. On Saturday, the oat field was harvested in preparation for the annual fall festival. Nearly 40 people helped in the oat harvest.

“We’ve had a really great July. It’s been really busy,” said Spiegel of the summer activities at the farm, which includes 13 different sessions of ‘Laura’s Days.’ Upwards of 20 people attended those programs.

Near the end of August, the Nelson Pioneer Farm will be hosting a vintage baseball game where they will play with 1860s rules.

The official end of the season for the farm will happen on the third weekend, September 21st, with the annual Fall Festival.

To go along with the increased program participation, Spiegel says regular visitor numbers are also climbing. “That’s what we like to see.”