Fourth graders soak up ag information
May 11—Fourth grade students from around Lake County had a special opportunity last Thursday and Friday. They were guests at Josh and Sarah Senecal's ranch northwest of Ronan where they learned about agriculture during Mission Valley Fourth Grade Ag Days.
"We're teaching them where their food comes from, and we're letting them inside our lives for a day," Josh said. He's president of Northwest Counties Farm Bureau and is passionate about agriculture.
The Western Montana Stockman's Association, the Conservation District, and MSU Lake County Extension joined NCFB to produce the event.
"It was a team event on all fronts," Susan Lake, NCFB secretary said, adding that Senecal's ranch had swine, chickens, lambs, and horses so it really worked, immersing the kids into farming and ranching from their first step off the bus.
About 300 fourth graders from K. William Harvey Elementary School, Dayton Elementary, Mission Valley Christian Academy, Valley View Elementary School, Linderman Elementary School, and Charlo Elementary School attended.
Lake talked to young people about raising seed potatoes, from how they're planted, to watering and fertilizing the tubers, to harvesting, storage and shipping.
Horses are Senecal's life, so he presented equine information. On hand were a mare and her day-old colt, a colt that's a couple of months old, and a field full of older horses.
For his presentation on raising cattle, WMSA member Paul Guenzler trailered in a heifer, a bull, and a cow-calf pair.
Dairy producers, a grain-grinding exhibition, facts on soils and soil compaction, and weed identification and prevention tips were just some of the ag-related exhibits. Kids also could take a wagon ride.
Future Farmers of America and 4-H information was available so kids had opportunities to join these organizations and get some hands-on experience with agriculture.
And, of course, lunch was a highlight. The WMSA and the Beef Association provided hamburgers, and Guenzler was the chef. The dairy farmers supplied milk and ice-cream bars, and bankers Brennin Grainey and Jamie Buhr helped serve lunch.
At the end of the day, students and teachers boarded the buses with a new appreciation and new information about Mission Valley agriculture.
