Grade schoolers get taste of farm life

More than 300 local first-graders went to the North Florida Research and Education Center Wednesday morning, and another 350 are scheduled to arrive today for a hands-on lesson in farming and livestock care.
Patti Peacock, 4-H program assistant, said it took the help of many volunteers and staff to make the experience meaningful for the youngsters.
They puzzled their way through a corn maze, with guides at every turn in case they were hopelessly lost. They also learned a bit about producing the crop, and shelled some corn out of cobs. They also snacked on popcorn after their maze adventure.
They met a beekeeper and his hive, learning about the role of bees in food production, then sampled different kinds of honey and candy with honey as a main ingredient.
They toured a peanut field on the research grounds, and ate some boiled peanuts afterward. They also watched someone make fresh peanut butter and sampled some on crackers.
They toured a cotton field, and got to run their hands through the fluffy stuff.
They went to the research beef unit around the corner from the crop-research headquarters. There, they got to pet a dairy calf, and see some goats, pigs and horses up close.
Afterward, they drank some chocolate milkshakes and had their pictures taken with milk moustaches.
They wrapped up their day in a hay field, where each class made a scarecrow to take back to share with their school-mates.
Peacock said high school 4-H students helped put on the event Wednesday, and that FFA students will be helping today.
The aim of this “Ag in the Classroom” project, called First Time Farmers, was to make students more aware of where their food really comes from, Peacock said.
“It was an action-packed day,” Peacock said. “We wanted to let them see that their food doesn’t just come from the grocery store. There’s a whole lot that goes into getting it there, and we wanted them to experience it. There’s lots of kids who don’t know all that.  It wouldn’t have been possible without our volunteers. We had master gardeners, the 4-H kids, individual farmers and livestock owners, and extension staff.”
Wednesday’s students came from Sneads, Grand Ridge, Graceville and Malone elementary schools and Dayspring Christian Academy, along with several home-schooled students.
Today’s crew will come from Cottondale and Golson elementary schools, and from Victory Christian Academy.