Local third-grade students will get an exclusive look at San
Benito County’s agriculture industry Tuesday during the county’s
annual Farm Day.
Local third-grade students will get an exclusive look at San Benito County’s agriculture industry Tuesday during the county’s annual Farm Day. The event started 10 years ago to give students a closer view of the county’s crops and livestock.
“Children get to see what agriculture is really about,” said Mildred Freeborn, a member of the San Benito County Ag in the Classroom Committee. “It’s a learning experience for them. … Sometimes, this is the first time children have seen a tractor or been up close enough to touch an animal. It also gives self-pride for some of the kids. They say, ‘My dad does that.'”
The event focuses on third-graders because they are learning about the county they live in as part of state standards for that grade level. First-graders learn about the home, second graders the city and fourth graders learn about the state, said Shelley Geisler, a third-grade teacher at Sunnyslope School.
Farm Day helps kids learn that their food doesn’t come from the grocery store, Geisler said.
“It’s important for them to really have an awareness of where our food comes from,” she said. “These are products and farming that’s right here in our own area.”
About 130 volunteers guide students around the event at Bolado Park from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Various animals, crops, machines and professionals will be available to illustrate different demographics of the county, Freeborn said.
Future Farmers of America and 4-H members will bring their animals for students to pet and look at. Tractor machines will show students how crops are harvested and sorted. And, cowboys, cowgirls and a veterinarian will exhibit what they do during the day.
Students will also be treated to a nutrition break where they can sample local foods donated for the event.
Freeborn expects 900 to 1,000 students to attend. Students in public and private schools and those being homeschooled were invited, she said. Most students will carpool to Bolado with volunteer parents, Freeborn said.
Farm Day helps bring alive education and information found in books.
“It gives the students a better sense than just looking at pictures in a book,” Geisler said.
The event is sponsored by the county Cattlemen’s and Cattlewomen’s associations and the county Farm Bureau.
For more information, call Freeborn at 637-7643.
