For many third graders not born and bred on a farm, the closest
they may have ever come to a lesson in agriculture is learning
the
”
Farmer In the Dell
”
song.
For many third graders not born and bred on a farm, the closest they may have ever come to a lesson in agriculture is learning the “Farmer In the Dell” song.
For 14 years now, however, the San Benito County Farm Bureau has been working to change that with Ag Day, a series of activities and exhibitions designed to foster an appreciation of San Benito County’s signature industry in the community’s youth.
“We feel that in the third grade, students really start to learn about the history of San Benito County,” said longtime volunteer and former head of the Farm Bureau Mildred Freeborn. “So we thought that we would get everybody in the ag community together, and have a party out here, and invite all the kids.”
Each year, representatives from the ag industry give up a day of work and set up an exhibit at Bolado Park explaining what they do, while teenaged tour guides from San Benito High School’s Future Farmers of America take the children from exhibit to exhibit and help things run smoothly.
“If we don’t step up and share with these kids why agriculture is important and why it’s interesting, there isn’t going to be any interest later,” SBHS senior Ryan Wood said while working at the event Tuesday. “A lot of us were exposed to ag when we were kids, we remember coming to ag day, and we want to keep that going.”
Over the years, the event has grown to include 1,000 students, 150 volunteers and representatives from nearly every facet of agriculture, from beekeeping to veterinary science to organic vegetables.
“It’s never too early to start learning exactly where your food comes from,” said Farm Bureau President Paul Hain. “And it’s even better if you can meet some of the people who do it.”
Planning for Ag Day starts as early as December, gauging interest among potential volunteers and exhibitors. The Farm Bureau sends out lesson plans to all third-grade classrooms in the area, so when the students finally come to visit they’ll get a hands-on experience with concepts already introduced at school.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re teaching kids about ag or something different, they’re going to respond well to a hands-on experience,” said SBHS ag teacher Renee Reed, who has also helped organize Ag Days for children in Stanislaus County. “A day like this is especially important in San Benito County, and there aren’t too many opportunities like this for kids anymore.”
Exhibitions run the gambit from towering tractors to sheep-herding dogs, and displays detailing the life-cycle of the noble apricot and exactly how many products we derive from cows. Those featuring animals or one booth allowing students to make organic salad are especially popular – if they can pet it or eat it, students are that much more enthused about the subject, say their teachers.
“I thought I knew a lot about flowers, but today I learned that you can even eat some of them,” said Cerra Vista third-grader April Robertson. “I think that’s really interesting.”
Though gloomy weather resulted in a dip in attendance this year, organizers still consider the event a success. And the teachers who bring their students back year after year say the program is an invaluable learning experience.
“This has been wonderful for the kids ever since Ag Day started,” said Cerra Vista teacher Dianne Frances. “Meeting the older 4-H and FFA kids gives them something to look forward to, and getting them out here is a better lesson than anything you can teach in a classroom.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected].
