Taking the Learning Outdoors

By Dee Ann Littlefield, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist

When the school year starts to come to a close and the kids start getting restless in the classroom, what’s the best way for teachers to get their attention? Take the learning outdoors.

That’s just what a handful of teachers from Wichita Falls, Henrietta and Petrolia did recently – they took 200 of their third and fourth grade students to Tommy Henderson’s Farm in northern Clay County for the 10th Annual Ag in the Classroom field day.

“Our fourth graders always love to visit Henderson Farm’s,” says Kerri Williams, fourth grade teacher at Henrietta Elementary School. “Learning about all aspects of agricultural life and seeing the impact agriculture has on all our lives is a great learning experience.”

Henderson states, “I feel like it is part of our responsibility as ag producers to show the kids of today, the consumers of tomorrow, where their food comes from.”

Ag in the Classroom is a national 501c3 educational program begun by the American Farm Bureau to help students understand that farms are the source of their food and flowers, as well as fabrics and fuels. Texas Farm Bureau is the coordinator for the program throughout Texas, relying on county chapters to implement the program in their area.

Henderson sits on the local Clay County Farm Bureau board and was part of the board when they were approached about the idea of hosting an event in Clay and Wichita Counties 10 years ago.

“Some counties do it in ag barns, etc., but we felt a real working farm, a true farm, would be a whole lot better situation for the kids to be involved in,” Henderson explains. “It’s important to work on that and show the kids what really happens on the farm.”

Everything from farming equipment, livestock and farming conservation practices were showcased at the stations set up at the Henderson Farm headquarters.  Texas Farm Bureau representative Trey Behrend talked to the kids about beef cattle production while Henderson’s neighbor, Duane Davis, visited with them about tractor equipment and safety. Clay County AgriLife Extension Agent Bill Holcombe showcased corn and wheat farming at the Commodities Trailer which Farm Bureau provided.  USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist Kenny Prewitt did a rainfall simulator demonstration while his co-worker Cordelia Redman gave an “Earth is an Apple” demonstration representing the portion of our earth that produces our food and fiber.  Mike McDonald, Farm Service Agency (FSA), took the kids on a hands-on tour of a miniature cotton gin while Henderson’s son, Charlie, took the kids out to their corrals for a petting zoo with sheep, goats and miniature horses, while he visited with them about livestock care and safety. The morning wrapped up with an informative and entertaining milking demonstration by Todd Griffin of the Southwest Dairy Museum.

Both Tommy and Charlie’s wives are grade school teachers, which makes the education experience even more important to them. “The kids always go back and tell the other kids, their teachers and principals about the things they saw and learned,” Henderson says. “That experience goes a long way towards educating families about how their food and fiber is grown.”

This is the second year in a row all the participants received t-shirts for the event. The t-shirts corresponded to their school colors.

“I really like it when I see the kids wearing the shirts around the community,” Henderson says. “I always like to ask them where they got their shirt and what they learned that day. Usually about half way through the conversation they realize it was my farm they visited. And then that turns into an opportunity for me to visit with their parents about agriculture.”

Hotdogs were served for lunch to all in attendance. Clay County Farm Bureau members L.C. Harrison, Scott Cleveland and Mary Maddox graciously prepared the meal and helped host the event.

The event was organized and sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, with Extension Agent Bill Holcombe and Texas Farm Bureau with Clay County representative Trey Behrend.