Published: May 01, 2007 04:58 pm      

Area fourth-graders learn hands-on, down on the farm, livestock living

Christina Childs

cchilds@weatherforddemocrat.com

It’s time for local kids to mingle with cows, and goats, and pigs, and lambs, and others — it’s time for the Kids and Kows and More program sponsored by the Southwest Dairy Farmers and the Texas Cooperative Extension, Parker County office.

The program offers area fourth grade students a chance to head out of the classroom and into the barnyard for some interactive learning.

Wednesday, May 9, the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse grounds will be filled with fourth-graders and livestock.

The day-long event consists of seven stations, all geared toward introducing the children to agriculture, while supplementing their in-school lesson plans and TAKS testing preparation.

A trip to the mobile dairy classroom will be stop number one. The class lasts about 45 minutes, but in that time, the kids will get a chance to see an actual dairy cow milked, and the opportunity to realize where milk really comes from.

“One of the first things [the instructor] usually asks the kids is, ‘Where does milk come from?’” said Wendy Scott, county extension agent for 4-H and youth development. “The kids usually yell out things like, ‘Albertsons’ or ‘Kroger.’ So this gives them a chance to see milk doesn’t just come from the grocery store.”

Next stop, the stables, where kids will meet and great a few equine friends and learn about the impact horses have had on the farming and ranching industry, as well as the impact the animals have on modern day life.

From there, it’s back to cattle, only this time, a short-horn duo, cow and calf, will take the kids through a brief history of the Texas beef industry. The nutritional value of beef and where meat cuts come from will also be covered.

Swine is up next, and of course, the children will get to visit with a pair of perfectly pink pigs, while learning the importance of the pork industry.

Taking a break from livestock, the Parker County Master Gardeners will show the lucky students the ins-and-outs of nursery productions, and a little hands-on plant propagation, too.

Station six has gone to the goats and lambs, too. Here, the children will see hands-on the animal’s products and even take home a souvenir of some freshly sheared wool.

Finally, the day will cap off with a lesson in wildlife, with an emphasis on local critters and birds.

After visiting the traveling farm, students will be asked to compose an essay of 250 words. The top two writers will receive an ice cream party for their entire class.

Already, the program has drawn in a number of local schools, but registration for the program is still open.

For more information, contact Wendy Scott at (817) 598-6172.