A group of youngsters got a taste of the agriculture business at the Sanders County Fairgrounds last week and actually got to taste some of the fruits of the business.

One hundred and twenty third graders from Sanders County schools had the opportunity to learn various aspects of the agriculture industry at the county's first "Ag Days," put on by the Sanders County Extension Office last Thursday.

"Connecting kids to their food systems is vital for future food security," said Wendy Carr, the county extension agent of agriculture, horticulture and natural resources. "Kids even in rural areas generally don't know much about their food, where it comes from or how it's harvested," added Carr, who coordinated the day-long event with Carissa McNamara of Plains. McNamara headed the Dorper Corner station, where kids had an opportunity to learn about sheep, though some of the kids were happy just to hug Emily, a dorper sheep provided by McNamara.

There were 11 stations scattered throughout the fairgrounds and buildings, including a hay ride, complements of tractor provided by Alan Hafner and driven by Frank Carr, Wendy's father. Hafner also ran the Hay You station, which showed the students the procedure of processing hay. He was assisted by his 16-year-old son, Cody. At one point, lightning and heavy rains forced Hafner and the other outside stations to head for cover, including the 4-H Games Station, where members of the South Side Sparks - Claire and Andrew Wrobleski, Mikiah, Melody and Jayden Cook, and Anna Hafner - talked about 4-H and played games with the kids. 

The 11 student teams took on special names, such as "Beefalo" for one of the Hot Springs groups, "Brangus" for a group of Dixon students, "Hereford" for the Noxon kids, "Holstein" for a Plains group and "Highland" for the Sanders County home school students - all named after breeds of cattle. Holding an Ag Days in Sanders County was the brain child of Carr, who grew up on a ranch in Hot Springs and has agriculture in her family dating back to her great grand parents in Montana's homestead days. She said she's had a dream of having an Ag Day since becoming an extension agent in January. However, she said a big part of their success was due to the help of volunteers from around the county.

"We chose third grade because the other grades from fourth on up through sixth grade already have something special they do, such as the Water Shed day, Fishing Day or the Campout," said Carr. "Third grade didn't have a special event during their school year put on by an outside entity like the other grades, so we wanted to give them something to look forward to every year," she said. "We want to spark an interest in agriculture and want them to come back and get involved in the agriculture field," said Carr, who added that they couldn't have accomplished Ag Day without the volunteers and sponsors which helped pay for the event, such as the Montana Farmers Union, Clearwater Credit Union, First Security Bank and the Western Montana Stockmen's Association. John Marrinan of Camas Prairie donated hamburger for lunch. Marrinan also manned the "Get Beefy" station, where he had a red angus cow and calf for the kids to see. 

All six county schools participated in the event. Plains had the largest group with 34 students and seven teachers and chaperones, followed by Thompson Falls with 31 students and six teachers and chaperones. Hot Springs had 19 students and five adults. Noxon had 13 students and five adults, followed by Trout Creek with a dozen students and two teachers. Dixon School had six students and two adults there while a group of five home school students and two teachers also took part.

"It was so rewarding to see it come together," said McNamara, who added that it was a special feeling when the bus loads of kids started piling in. She said the kids she talked with were especially fond of the sheep, the apple press and the hay ride. "Ag Days exposes students to the different aspects of agriculture that are available that might diversify a ranch/farm/agriculture business more and might make the agriculture field more financially sustainable in our county," said Carr. Both Carr and McNamara believe there is a need for more education in the agricultural field in Sanders County.

Bruce Beckstead of Plains and Marilynn Carr of Hot Springs, Wendy's mother, who showed the kids how to make apple cider. Thompson Falls' Jeanette Allday's Garden to Plate gave the students a vegetable pitch, along with a sample of carrot raisin salad. Kassy Moore of Plains and her Microgreens station showed the groups the function of growing the young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs. Moore showed numerous examples and let the kids sample several plants.

The kids had the chance to talk with Dr. Stephanie McIntyre of Thompson Falls Veterinary Clinic and Wild Horse Veterinary in Plains. McIntyre was assisted by 15-year-old Mackenzie Tulloch and her horse Lacy. Amy Elkins of Plains and Adriana Larkins of Ronan of the Natural Resources Conservation Service talked about the importance of the soil, soil erosion and minimizing its disturbance. "We talked to them about the soil being alive," said Elkins. Emily Baker of the Eastern Sanders County Conservation District and Sarah Busmire of the Green Mountain Conservation District provided information on a different kind of bug with their Buzz on Pollinators lesson, covering how animals that pollinate (such as birds, bats, butterflies and bees) help the environment.

Another goal of getting the third graders interested in agriculture was to plant a seed in them for 4-H, which has agricultural ties and is active throughout the county. McNamara said they already have a waiting list from the local communities for future Ag Day stations.

"Our goal was to have it twice a year, once for a harvest Ag Days in the fall, then again in the spring when babies are born and planting," said McNamara, whose 9-year-old son John, a member of the South Side Sparks 4-H club, is already involved in different aspects of agriculture - beef,  poultry, hay and vegetable production. "Our history and lives are richer when we are connected to and through our food systems," she said. 

"I believe if we expose kids with the love of agriculture when they are young, then they might have the desire to return to it when they grow up," said Carr, who added that there is a growing issue with kids not returning to their family ranches or agricultural business. Carr noted that many kids move away off a ranch or farm for higher paying jobs elsewhere because they can't afford to take over the ranch or don't have the desire to keep working it.   

Ed Moreth

BIG RIG – Alan Hafner of Plains shows a group of Dixon students the workings of a hay baler. Hafner's son, Cody, helped him with his talk on farm equipment.

"With the increasing issues in our food chain, it may become very important for our communities to go back to their roots and learn to grow and raise their own food or buy locally. What better way to teach our youth than to expose them at an event like Ag Days," said Carr, who has plans with McNamara to make it an ongoing event every year and to host classroom field trips to local ranches, farms or other types of agricultural businesses.