MOSES LAKE - First graders from Moses Lake got to experience farms firsthand Thursday at the annual First Grader Farm Day.

The first graders overtook the Kenny Ardell Pavilion at the Grant County Fairgrounds where Moses Lake High School students delivered presentations on such topics as rabbits, hay, and pumpkins.

The event benefits both the first grade and high school students, said Moses Lake High School teacher Tony Kern, who advises FFA at the high school with his colleague, Chad Utter.

The first grade students learn about agriculture and where their food comes from, which is important as families move into town from the countryside, he said. High school students gain useful experience for FFA and hone their public speaking skills, he said.

Each high school student delivers their presentation 34 times as the first graders rotate through the different stations, said Kern. Many of the high school students are nervous at the start of the day, but gain confidence as they give more presentations.

"There's growth right in front of your eyes," he said.

Most of the high school participants are FFA members, although students from Kern's animal science class and Utter's natural resources class also participate, said Kern.

Farm day has been going on as long as anyone remembers, said Kern.

As Moses Lake has grown, the number of students participating makes it difficult to complete the event in one day, said Utter.

It costs about $1,500 to put on the event, said Kern. It's paid for with FFA funds, he added, while organizations such as the Washington State Potato Commission and Big R stores donate materials.