The Elkhart Community School's agriculture department and Elkhart County Farm Bureau hosted a three-day Ag Day event this week for elementary students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The event was held at the Elkhart Community School's agriculture community center and environmental learning lab in Elkhart. The lab sits on 114 acres with a 30-acre wood.
More than 1,200 students were invited to see tractors, horses, ducks, chicks, rabbits, sheep, pigs and a baby calf. In addition, demonstrations related to small engines, honey, butter making, soil conservation and cattle roping were also available for youths to learn about. The Elkhart County 4-H program also had a booth with information for students.
Dwight Moudy of the Elkhart County Farm Bureau shared with students about "Cowboy Ethics." Each student was given the chance to climb up on a model horse and give a try at roping a "bull."
John Newsom, Indiana Farm Bureau representative, talked with students about seeds, production and food sources.
This year marks the second year the event has been held at the ACCELL farm. Cyndy Keeling, director of agriculture curriculum at the EACC, said, "It's so nice to have this plot of ground because it gives us more opportunity to have more things agriculture-related to share with urban students."
Keeling also mentioned that she plans on adding new things to the Ag Days each year so children who know little about agriculture can have a better understanding and appreciation for it.
Students came from three elementary schools, Mary Beck, Mary Daly and Woodland.
Animals on display were provided by different members of the county. The Indiana Corn Growers Assn. and Indiana Soybean Alliance donated soy crayons and the Indiana Pork Assn. donated educational material.