Saturday, April 20, 2024
KID MEETS KID: An Acton third grader gets a close look at a young goat during the outing at Fall Creek Ranch, where the school children learned how the business of ranching intersects with conservation efforts.
BUCOLIC SETTING: The local farm was a picturesque venue for the field trip. Naturalists, ranchers and water conservation district representatives were there to answer questions.
LEARNING STATION: Several stations were set up at the ranch for the students to learn different aspects of farming and conservation.
Third graders from Acton Elementary School got a taste of ranch life on April 13, when they took a field trip to Fall Creek Ranch for an agricultural/conservation day.
Approximately 150 students rotated to six different stations throughout the afternoon, where they learned about the importance of farmers and ranchers, as well as how conservation and agriculture are interrelated.
“It's kind of what we consider giving back to the community,” said Karen Langdon, Master Naturalist and owner of Fall Creek Ranch. “The kids love it. We've heard that this is their favorite field trip and plus, you're doing something for nature, for conservation, and you're doing something for agriculture — that's where your satisfaction comes from, helping kids see another side of something.”
Representatives from the Rio Brazos Master Naturalist group taught the students about various aquatic species and pollinators.
Texas Farm Bureau members allowed the children to hold a baby goat and talked with them about raising goats and goat production, as well as how a cotton gin operates.
A representative from the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District also brought a mobile unit for the students to tour as they learned about the conservation of water.
A coloring station was provided, where students got the opportunity to color a picture related to agriculture. These pictures were judged on creativity and content. The first-, second- and third-place winners received a Texas Farm Bureau piggy bank, along with a cash prize.
Students had also prepared posters earlier in the year depicting water conservation practices. The posters were judged by the Natural Resource Conservation District, which selected the top three winners from each classroom and the top three winners overall. The winners received ribbons, and a gift certificate from Braum’s.
“It just gives the kids a little incentive to do better,” Langdon said.
Sponsors of the field trip included: Hood/Somervell Farm Bureau, Rio Brazos Master Naturalists, Brazos Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, Natural Resource Conservation District, First National Bank of Granbury/Acton, the venue at Fall Creek Ranch and Fall Creek Ranch/Langdon family and friends.
“It's so important for kids to know where their food comes from, and your clothes come from,” Langdon added. “If you can just plant a seed in their mind about something, that’s where some of the satisfaction comes from. If you can reach some of these kids, it’s worth it.”
https://www.hcnews.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/fall-creek-farm-visit-helps-raise-awareness/collection_4de6d5d6-ca1b-11ec-9677-27da9bc2fb2b.html
