Diamond Hill of Shawanna Wilcher’s second-grade class, left, receives seeds and a cup of soil from Newton County Farm Bureau volunteer Morgan Tillman. Students were given seeds and soil, then taught how to successfully grow their own crops. (Staff photo: Ryan McKenzie)
COVINGTON – Middle Ridge Elementary students got a taste of the agricultural world on Thursday when the Newton County Farm Bureau hosted Farm Day at the school.
In order to increase agricultural literacy, Middle Ridge hosted the event to provide a better understanding of agriculture and the role it plays in an industrialized society. To carry out this lesson, students participated in four different activities.
During the soil and plants segment, students were taught about plant life cycles and how soil layers affect them, while the farm animals activity was designed to teach them about the habitats, eating habits and safety procedures relating to animals commonly found on farms.
My Plate is Grown in Georgia was a segment that introduced students to the crops and foods grown in different regions throughout the state, as well as a newly implemented food guide pyramid. The Mobile Dairy activity taught students about the anatomy of a cow, how it produces milk, and how the milk goes from the cow to their dinner table.
Students also had a chance to meet a dairy cow up close. For many, this was the first time coming in contact with a farm animal.
“Some of our kids are five and six generations removed from farming,” said Middle Ridge second-grade teacher Angela Page. “They’ve never even touched a calf. This is a new experience.”
In addition to getting to meet the farm-raised bovine, students received their own cup of soil and and collection of seeds. From cucumbers to lettuce to squash, students were taught how to plant the seeds and grow crops of their own.
The was the first year that Middle Ridge has hosted Farm Day on its campus. Page said that usually only pre-K classes get to take a field trip to a farm. Page, who has been partnering with the Newton County Farm Bureau for four years, said that she was able to pull some strings and have the farm come to them this year.