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The University of Illinois Ogle County Extension, Oregon office, and the Meridian School District, and Indian Hill Farm, both in Stillman Valley, collaborated to offer “Down on the Farm” as part of the Cardinal Flight to Fitness Summer Camp.
Through the Ag in the Classroom Program offered June 23, participants learned where breakfast comes from.
Melinda Charbonneau and Lisa Valle, Ogle County staff; Samantha Kowalczyk, extension intern; and Phil Bratta, Mary Ley, Katrina Lowry, Casey Martin, and Michael Ring, volunteers, presented educational programs.
During the opening activity, kids listened to the story, “The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen,” by Diana Prichard.
Participants then rotated between six stations with information about various aspects of agriculture.
They got up close to beef cattle, sang with the chickens, germinated soybeans, felt the wool of sheep, and discovered the particles of soil.
They also played Oinko, and learned many facts about pigs.
Ag in the Classroom is offered through the extension, in partnership with Ogle County Farm Bureau, Carroll County Farm Bureau, Ogle County Soil and Water, and Carroll County Soil and Water.