First-graders learn about agriculture on Farm Day

MOSES LAKE - The horse stood quietly and let the first-graders pet its nose, but the little pig was not so cooperative.

Sometimes the pig puts his nose close to the fence, close enough to let the kids touch him, and sometimes he got close and then skittered away. But as one of the teachers pointed out, a pig does what a pig does.

And pigs doing what they do is part of the farm, so they were right at home at First Grade Farm Day.

All first-graders attend Farm Day, sponsored by the Moses Lake FFA chapter. They learned about horses and the uses of corn, sheep, pigs, cuts of meat, raising dogs and all kinds of farm-related topics. There was a petting zoo as well, where the pig and horse were joined by rabbits, ducks, goats, sheep, calves and a miniature horse.

The idea is to teach first-graders about agriculture, said Tony Kern, one of Moses Lake High School's two FFA advisors, in an earlier interview. Even in a town where agriculture plays a major role in the economy, kids don't always make the connection between ag production and the food they eat, he said.

The FFA students pick the subject and write a presentation, sometimes with visual aids, sometimes with treats.

Getting the first-graders engaged is the challenging part, according to the FFA members. "When you start getting the wide eyes looking at you, you know you've got to change your words," MLHS senior Jacob Benavid said.

Certain words work better than others. "Everybody lights up when you say bacon," senior Cody Pesta said.

Candy helps. Danielle Garcia and her team asked the children questions, "and when we say there's candy (for the right answer) they try to answer it," she said.

Garcia and the team told the kids about all the uses for sheep and their wool. "At the end they get to pet (the sheep), and they really like that," she said.

"Of course we give them a little treat because kids love treats," said Ethan Padilla, whose team chose to talk about the many uses of corn. "And in the end we give them popcorn," he said.

They chose corn because "there's a lot to do with corn," Shamra Roylance said. On the other hand, "I did it because my dad grows corn," said Charlene Sanislo. The entire corn team was made up of sophomores.

Pesta and the rest of the team showed the kids the ribs, chops, steaks and wings that come from cattle, pigs and chickens. "I don't know why I chose this one. I always get hungry when I look at it," Benavid said.

It was easy for guys who have been showing animals for years. "I raise pigs and I know a pig pretty well," Pesta said. They weren't as knowledgeable about chickens, but then, "there's not a whole lot on the chicken to talk about," Pesta said.

Humor helps too, Sheyla Gaucin said. While talking about corn, "we keep them laughing," she said. The corn team gave kids things to touch, and things to look at, said Breana Daniels.

Right along with the first-graders, the FFA participants like Farm Day, they said. "It's a fun, calm thing (for kids) to do," and there aren't many activities out there that fit that description, Padilla said.