What started off as me having the desire to share my knowledge and passion of the dairy farming industry with students at my former elementary school has now grown into a nationally recognized program. Little did I know making that connection and then continuing to grow and expand upon it while incorporating more ag enthusiasts would lead to so many new connections, friendships, lessons and experiences. It truly is amazing how a strong passion can open so many new doors.
Just a little over two years ago, I reached out to the principal at the small local elementary school I attended and asked if they would be interested in me coming in on behalf of the county Farm Bureau where I serve as a trustee to do a story time with a farmer. I wanted to let students have the chance to meet a farmer in real life and ask all the questions about where their food comes from. In my eyes, this first event was a success – but looking back, I don’t think I ever thought that would grow and flourish into what this program has become today. At that initial session, I had so many wonderful questions from the students who were genuinely interested in learning and gaining knowledge. To be able to make that farm-to-table connection for them was very rewarding and fueled me to collaborate with my fellow trustees in Farm Bureau and really expand this program into what it is today.
Over the next year, we visited several different libraries and preschools where we would read an agriculture-related book to the children and then do a fun farm-themed craft that corresponded with the story. Kids and parents alike also had the opportunity at each event to ask any and all farm questions they had. From something as simple as “Do brown cows really make chocolate milk?” to something more complex like “What is the job of each of a cow's four stomach compartments?” every question was answered with the utmost respect and knowledge. At each of these initial events we, as our county Farm Bureau, donated a book barn filled with farm-themed books to each location.
Not only did these places receive a book barn, but the community as a whole was involved in this project. During our county fair the summer before at our Farm Bureau booth, we had stations set up where fairgoers could donate some time to help paint, assemble and finish these barns that were then donated to the places we read at. During these work sessions at the fair, it was nice to connect with consumers and answer their questions about farming and agriculture while they helped us in a significant way for our project.
After these initial events, we could really tell this program was making a much-needed difference and impact on our community. With that, our organization director put together our entire project into a grant where we then won a spot at American Farm Bureau Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. Last January, the group from our county Farm Bureau that was involved in this project traveled to Salt Lake where we set up a booth and even built a book barn to have on display.
During our time at the convention, the number of people coming through the trade show who had questions or interest in our project was truly humbling. To see people from all over the country express such an interest in the program we started and have them want to take it and put their own unique spin on it in their hometowns was amazing. We even had build plans available with the exact materials and cut measurements for those who wanted to create their own barns.
Not only did we make numerous connections with other agriculture enthusiasts in Salt Lake, but the experience to attend the convention and see the drive and passion people from all over still have for farming and agriculture is very refreshing. As farmers, it is very easy to get burned out in the day-to-day tasks we must do through all seasons of life, and oftentimes for little reward. But seeing kids soak in all of the information we present to them and actually be able to meet a farmer in real life, and make ice cream or make a cow plate they can then name, is overly rewarding.
Now a couple of years into this program, we are still constantly looking for places to present our story times at and are striving to continue to grow and expand this program. Just a couple of months ago in June, we did a collaboration with a local ice cream shop for June Dairy Month. At this event, we read a dairy farm story to the kids; they could pick one of three related activities to do and then received a free ice cream treat at the end. This was our most successful event to date with over 45 kids participating. Seeing these strong numbers is such a motivator to keep advocating and sharing our story to make that connection from where safe food really comes from and what all goes into producing it.
