Ag Day combines learning with fun
By DAVID LOWE Staff Writer

PHOTO BY DAVID LOWE Dr. Kim Langford shows a sheep's teeth to a group of Kline Whitis Elementary students Friday morning at the school's Ag Day. Youngsters saw a variety of animals and watched short presentations on many agricultural activities, from dairy farming to trapping.

Kline Whitis Elementary students exchanged monkey bars and games of tag for cattle trailers and animal petting stations during Ag Day festivities on Friday.

Volunteers gave short presentations on farm and ranch products and explained agricultural activities from trapping to the operation of a dairy.

"It's a fun way to teach," said second grade teacher Jonna Langford, Ag Day coordinator. "You can take what (students) see out here and take it back into the classroom. It's good hands-on learning."

Lampasas County developed as an agricultural area, Mrs. Langford said, and as the county urbanizes, Kline Whitis faculty try to educate students about the processes that continue to provide their food, clothing and other products.

"It just seems like a good way to show them where things come from," Mrs. Langford said of Ag Day.

Mark Langford helps students down from a cattle trailer at Kline Whitis Elementary's Ag Day. Students learned about hauling cattle, sheep, goats and horses, but they also discovered trailers make good playgrounds.

Gardening provides an example of an agricultural process with benefits Americans often don't stop to appreciate, county Extension agent Jason Byrd said. Along with Karen Longoria, Better Living for Texans program assistant, Byrd discussed tomato seeds, tomato nutrition and the many foods derived from the plant.

"With a lot of these kids you can tell they've never seen a tomato plant," Byrd said. "We take a lot of the agricultural activities for granted. We're just showing them how truly important agriculture is."

Other educational activities included roping lessons; a goat petting station; a discussion of wool, mohair and the sheering process; and tractor, hay baler and cattle trailer displays.

Students also learned about veterinary medicine; observed a rainfall simulator, which illustrated the need for soil conservation and native grasses; met Smokey Bear; and heard presentations about beef, dairy goods, grains, textile fibers and other agricultural products.

On a chilly morning, this cowboy warmed his hands by holding a chick from Farm Bureau's Learning Barn.

"I liked going in the trailer and seeing Mr. Fire Bear and also seeing the animals," said Xavier after his class finished its Ag Day tour.

Other students enjoyed learning about agricultural-related professions.

"You take care of animals, and it's called a vet," said Lexi, after studying rabbit and sheep teeth.

Jordan said she enjoyed playing on a tractor and learning about animals and their bones. Dr. Kim Langford's discussion of chinchillas -- furry, rabbit-sized rodents -- especially interested Jordan.

"They really can't swim," the youngster said.

While teaching about agriculture, Ag Day also gave students a chance to play as cowpokes once did. Students sang along with Alicia Straley and Doyle Tomme to tunes such as "The Big Corral," "Home on the Range" and "The Yellow Rose of Texas."

Andy Johnson helps a student with his roping technique as part of Ag Day. Other educational stations included animal petting areas, a natural resource conservation display, a cowboy song circle and many other activities related to agriculture.

"They didn't have Nintendos and Wi's and Playstations and all that on the cattle trail," Mrs. Straley said. "We're showing them what it was like."

Even though farming and ranching have changed, Aiden reflected with his classmates on the continuing influence of agriculture in Lampasas County.

"I learned there are a lot of farmers around here," he said.

Todd Griffin of the Southwest Dairy Center demonstrates how to milk a cow.