No, that's not Vanna White!......But, it is Debra Balkcom, left, local horsewoman, educating area fourth
graders on Equine Safety at Wednesday morning's Ag in the Classroom presentation.

 

"It's All About Your Involvement
In Agriculture!"

Message at Ag in the Classroom
Presentation in Civic Center

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

They came by busload from area Hopkins County schools, as fourth-graders converged on the Hopkins County Civic Center, Wednesday, to learn all about agriculture. "All of us are involved in agriculture as consumers of food and fiber," explained presenters from various agricultural organizations. The event is sponored by the Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Area farmers bring animals and equipment used on their farms to be used in the presentation and to serve as presenters of the various aspects of agricultural production.

Students learned about tractor and four-wheeler safety, a major concern in rural areas, as they were warned about the many accidents that can happen when motorized vehicles are operated on farms, many times by youth who are not experienced enough to handle the responsibility. Presenters warned the youth about getting clothing entangled in working parts of machinery and how they should always be accompanied by a responsible adult when working around equipment.

 

Mike Barrett with Texas Farm Bureau addresses area 4th graders with facts about agriculture.

 

Then, students were introduced to the world of agricultural production, as they were taught where their "bread is buttered!" Students were given demonstrations on wheat, beef, pork, dairy, and even soybean production. They were told of the many agricultural products that are required just to produce a modern day pizza. Additional information was learned when students were given a "question and answer" session at the end of each presentation. "These students had some very tough questions," exclaimed Mike Miesse with the local Hopkins-Rains Farm Bureau. "But, the local producers who deal with producing our food on a daily basis, gave them some very detailed answers!"

 

 

Local horsewoman, Debra Balkcom gave her own demonstration on Equine safety, to the students who are at an age of possibly anticipating the purchase of their first horse. She emphasized the responsibility that it takes in caring for a horse, as well as the many pleasures associated with learning to ride.

 

Local Farm Bureau directors served as panelists for Wednesday's Ag in the Classroom presentation.

 

Beekeeping was another "stop" on the local agriculture tour, when students learned all about how honey is made and the benefits of having bees in our local environment.

And, speaking of our environment, the students learned from local Hopkins County Environmental Officer, Holly Rosamond, about the benefits of keeping our local environment clean. She addressed the students and told them how they could help keep our streams and waterways clean and could reduce the litter around their own homes, to decrease pollution.

 

Environmental Officer Holly Rosamond explains the benefits of a clean environment to local
4th graders, as they listen attentively and learn about local environmental issues.

 

"It was a great day for the students to learn all about how agriculture affects their lives," expressed local 4th grade teacher Ruann Horton. "My students look forward to this day each year, and we go back to the classroom and re-enforce the things they have learned with unit studies!"

On Thursday, the Ag in the Classroom Program will again be presented to Franklin County, Rains County, Delta County, and students in the Cumby ISD, in the Hopkins County Civic Center, as students are taught about agriculture.

Beekeeping was taught at this stop on Wednesday's agricultural education tour.

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