Students Learn From Farm Classroom

    A new crop of over 2,100 Kings County third-graders now have the tools to talk about agriculture after they traveled to the fairgrounds on March 6 to attend Farm Day.
    Under a picture-perfect, sunny day the students arrived wearing their specially designed T-shirts and excitedly lined up to meet their FFA volunteer leaders before beginning their  tour highlighted with opportunities to use all their senses. They were able to see, touch and listen to talks on farm equipment, animals and demonstrations followed by tasting special treats.
    The annual event wasn’t a first-time occasion for students either – new volunteers and teachers were also there to increase their knowledge of the agricultural industry that contributes heavily to the local economy.
    “I’m in the Lemoore FFA leadership class and this is my first time,” Derek Silva said before meeting the class he was tasked to lead. “I’m looking forward to this new experience.”
    And for years Kit Carson teacher Jane Mankey only got to hear about third grade classes visiting Farm Day, but she couldn’t go since she taught fifth grade. Now, after successfully getting moved to her own third grade classroom this year, she came with high expectations, based on the vast amount of material and overflowing bag of goodies provided to each teacher prior to attending Farm Day.
    “I’m really looking forward to seeing the variety of what our county’s farm community has to offer,” she said after getting off the bus with her students.
    Coming from a country school, she said her students are more aware, but they were surprised to learn new things about ag thanks to information given to us to share before coming to Farm Day, Mankey said, adding she incorporated the material into math and language lessons.
    Another first-timer to the event was Toni Lindeleaf who works for Wawona Frozen Foods in Fresno.
    “I’m really glad we could come and provide our frozen peach pops – with no sugar added – to pass out to the students during this great event,” she said while trying to stay up with the crush of students reaching for their tasty treat.
    After posing for a picture with Kopi Sotiropulos, Anthony Avila with Integrated Grain and Milling said, “This is really nice – it’s great to educate the students on farming – that it’s not just about going to the store and buying food and clothes, but showing them where it all starts.”
    This was the smoothest year we’ve ever had due to better preparedness and more experience,” said Chuck Draxler who has been the chairman all four years of putting on Farm Day. We had over 250 volunteers and speakers and without them we couldn’t put this on – they are the core of Farm Day. We can always use more presenters and volunteers so if anyone out there would like to join us next year please contact the office. Next year’s date is March 5 – the first Thursday of the month.”
    Draxler also commended the hard work put in by Farm Day’s other two organizing partners – Kings County Office of Education and Kings Fair.
    Besides our members who were there helping out, these people put in a tremendous amount of work, Draxler said. He also mentioned the hard work Marilyn Rahlf dedicated to the project as the education point person the last four years and welcomed Becky Hudson who will be taking over the duties next year.