5th grade students attended Farm Bureau Rural Education Day (Project R.E.D) The Clare County Farm Bureau, in cooperation with various agricultural businesses and local sponsors, provided many fun-filled, hands-on activities. The focus of the event was to help students understand more about agriculture and natural resources in the community. The field trip was held at the Magnus Center, and was free for all students! During Project R.E.D., students rotated among several different stations to view and learn about animals, horticulture and natural resources. Each station runs approximately 12 minutes with the entire program lasting approximately two hours. Our population is becoming further removed from production agriculture and activities like this are a great opportunity to teach students the importance of agriculture and how agriculture touches their life each and everyday.
Stations included:
Making seed balls with native plants/flowers
Learning about and pet pigs, sheep, and beef cattle
Learning how popcorn is grown (and tasting some kettle corn!)
Learning about native trees and invasive species
Tractor safety
Making maple syrup
Making apple cider
Beekeeping
Learning about fur bearing animals, the traps used to hunt the animals, and getting to touch the pelts
