On Wednesday, April 29, 172 third and fourth graders from St. Mary of Seven Dolors of Osmond, Osmond Community School, Pierce Zion Lutheran School, Pierce Elementary School, and Plainview Elementary School attended the Nebraska Extension in Pierce County Life on the Farm-Ag Literacy Festival.
During the event, students rotated through eight sessions consisting of plant science, poultry, ethanol, beef, dairy, swine, goats and water. In the sessions, the presenters talked to the groups about their animal or commodity and how it all plays an important role in Nebraska agriculture.
Local 4-Her’s, students in Pierce FFA, and producers led these sessions. For plant science, Pierce FFA students Maelee Hamilton, Avery Brunckhorst, Kaelyn Halsey, and Kinley Hilkemann presented.
Pierce County 4-Her and Pierce FFA member Dierck White shared information about swine. Highlighting beef production was Kim Huwaldt. Jesse Rau and Wyatt Beltz from Husker Ag shared knowledge on ethanol.
Jessi Fanta from Demerath Farm Plainview had shared on dairy. As for county producers, Kate Siebrandt shared about goats; Julie Schultz, Nebraska Extension Educator of Pierce and Wayne County, talked about poultry. Representing the Lower Elkhorn NRD were Julie Wragge, Carey Tejkl, Marcus Blunck and Nathan Kush, who shared about water conservation.
Thank you to the volunteers, Vickie Dejong, Lucas Kolterman, Emily Eilers, Cayden Holan, and Alexandria Huwaldt, who helped with Life on the Farm. Farmers Pride of Battle Creek donated lunch for the presenters and volunteers of Life on the Farm.
At the end of the program, the students were given a bag full of educational material to help them remember their day at Life on the Farm. Material was sponsored by Pierce County Extension Office, Husker Ag, Lower Elkhorn NRD, Michael Foods from Wakefield, Midwest Dairy Association, Nebraska Beef Council, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Soybean Board, Nebraska Corn Board, and Nebraska Sheep & Goat Producers Association.
