DECATUR --When do goats, pigs, sheep, cows and rabbits become teachers in a classroom setting? When they are part of the Farm Expo at Northside Elementary in Decatur, an event held on Oct. 27.
The Farm Expo, presented by Arkansas Farm Bureau, was on hand at Northside to give students a lesson in where food comes from and to acquaint them with agriculture and the many commodities produced in Arkansas.
One burning question that was answered during the expo was, "Does chocolate milk come from a brown cow?" Brenda Patton, a member of the Benton County Farm Bureau Women's Committee and co-organizer of this event, answered that question with a resounding "No."
There were several stations through which each of the classes rotated: rice, soil, beef, chicks, safety, water, milk cow, cotton, poultry and farm story/coloring. The Farm Bureau education staff presented a fun, educational experience about agriculture for the students using the interactive displays and demonstrations. Each station taught the students information about agriculture specific to Arkansas.
During recess, the Decatur Future Farmers of America and 4-H students hosted a petting zoo for the students by bringing their animal projects to school. They had goats, sheep, a pig, a cow and a bunny. The students got to pet and feed the animals while learning about the hard work the FFA and 4-H students did to get their animals ready for the fair season. The students had a great time and the animals were very well fed that day.
Next March the school will have another agriculture education program called Ag to You. For more information on this event or future events at Decatur Northside, call 479-752-3981.
General News on 11/08/2017