MIDDLETOWN, Ind. — More than 600 elementary students learned that their food doesn’t just come from the grocery store during a visit to a Henry County farm last week.

Trennepohl Farms hosted an ag tour April 13 sponsored by the Henry County Farm Bureau for first graders from across the county. All but one elementary school participated, according to Henry County Farm Bureau Women’s Leader Bobetta Jester of Mooreland, Ind.

“We are trying to educate those children, and even the teachers, who don’t know farming,” Jester said. “The day went great. The children really enjoyed themselves.”

She added that with fewer people having parents or grandparents who farm, there is a greater need for these types of events.

“It’s the fifth year for this event at this location,” Jester said. “We will continue doing it so we can keep the world educated.”

As part of the tour, high school students (most are FFA members) from across the county led groups of students through several stations, including looks at farm machinery and livestock. Participants also got to see and touch cattle feed.

The high schoolers were also paired with an adult to lead the different learning stations at the tour.

The student guides are encouraged to know their subject and to talk at the first graders’ level.

Caleb Dugger, a senior from Shenandoah High School, was responsible for explaining the ins and outs of a John Deere self-propelled sprayer. Dugger said he was enjoying some of the children’s answers when he asked how much they thought the machine cost.

“One students said that it probably cost $200,” he said with a smile.

The Henry County Farm Bureau also fed the students lunch, which included about 800 beef hot dogs, chips and dessert. They also served milk donated by Prairie Farms Dairy of Anderson, Ind.

This farm news was published in the April 19, 2006 issue of Farm World.