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Flickerwood Arena Hosts 850 Third Graders For The 24th Annual Farm Day
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO.
As cattle farmers and ranchers, it may be easy to take the little things for granted. The sights, the smells and the joy of welcoming new calves can be everyday blessings that are far too often overlooked.
With consumers, this we have in common. Whether it’s the milk in the refrigerator or the steak on the grill, those not directly involved in production agriculture may never stop to wonder how that product arrived at the grocery store or restaurant. They may never stop to think about the little things.
The Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association recognized that reality and felt the need to educate the community about agriculture. Thus began the event of Farm Day. The 24th annual Farm Day was held at Flickerwood Arena on April 24th hosting 850 third graders from 12 schools in Cape, Bollinger and Perry Counties. Students came on buses or carpooled. Including teachers, parents and chaperones the event drew about 1125 folks. The SEMO Cattlemen Association organizes the event but there are many local sponsors and commodity groups who help.
The cattlemen association is doing their best to equip the next generation with knowledge about where their food and fiber for everyday living comes from. Despite the agricultural prominence in SE Mo there is a growing gap between local food producers and consumers. Organizer Butch Meier relayed that when he was in school most kids were somehow connected to a farm. Now they are two or three generations removed from production agriculture or have no connection whatsoever.
Among the ten commodity presentations were experts on beef cattle production, swine, poultry, forestry, corn, soybeans, dairy cattle beekeeping, soil protection and a stop for a snack. Each presentation was ten minutes. The students learned that cattle have four stomachs, corn and soybeans are found in a number of everyday items and, at the dinner table, one in every three bites has been impacted by a honeybee. All of the presenters were local farmers and producers involved with each commodity. Event organizers want the students to walk away with an understanding that farmers are real-life people, right in their communities who are dedicated to providing them safe and nutritious food.
Even though the students may never be directly involved in production ag themselves, the goal is that when they drive by a pasture or a field of crops they will know that someone, somewhere played a role, and be thankful. ∆
Joe Garvey, retired farm forester, explain the life of a tree and the products made from wood.
Erin Larimore, Univ. of Mo. Beef Specialist, talking about products that come from a cow
James Hunt, NRCS, showing kids about erosion and how it effects farming and possible solutions.
Students getting an up close look at an Angus cow and calf
Overview of Flickerwood Arena showing students at various stations.
Amanda and Luke Aufdenberg explaining pork production.
Students petting a Jersey calf owned and raised by Dylan Muench
Jason Smith, US Representative, stopped by and had a brief message for the students and
posed with Jackson FFA chapter members that helped.
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