Farm tour connects kids with agriculture

CAROLYN HIDY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 9 months AGO

Visitors to the Senecal farm were treated to a hay ride. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)

(Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Each egg is a treasure. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)

(Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Neighbor Justin Marmon helped out with horse rides for the school kids. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Neighbor Justin Marmon helped out with horse rides for the school kids.(Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Josh Senecal uses a brain jello mold to make a point about the importance of four-wheeler safety, and what happens to the brain when your head hits something. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Northwest Counties Farm Bureau members Josh and Sarah Senecal took a day to share their ranch experience with students and parents from Mission Valley Christian Academy last week.

There were horseback rides and a hay ride through the cows. Kids got to pet sheep, chickens, and baby calves, and Northwest Counties Farm Bureau provided a hamburger lunch for all attendees.

The main lesson of the day was about where their food and other agricultural products come from. Lessons such as how much cows eat, how to take care of sick calves, where eggs come from, the difference between meat sheep and hair sheep, the difference between meat chickens and laying hens, and four-wheeler safety made their day.

“I think it’s different when parents tell their kids where their food comes from and when they actually come to a farm and a ranch and we talk about it.”

Josh is taking a course through the Farm Bureau learning to “Advocate, Communicate, Educate” about agriculture.

“My main deal is to get people to fall in love with the rancher and farmer again, not only the cute cuddly animals,” he said. “I still want them to love the animals, but I want them to help keep the farmer and rancher in business. We are trying to provide food for America and the world.”

Currently, only one percent of the U.S. population is involved in agriculture.

Josh said his family lost the lease on their ranch when he was a youth. But he and Sarah were eventually able to buy their own place.

“Anything you want to do is possible through a lot of hard work, a good plan and a little bit of luck,” he said.

“Advocating for agriculture is where my heart is. I want to let anyone who wants to know about agriculture or be a part of it to come out and visit,” Josh said.

Their farm also takes part in the larger “Ag Days” sponsored by Lake County Conservation District, in which fourth-grade students from across the county have visited farms.

(Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Each egg is a treasure. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)

(Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Neighbor Justin Marmon helped out with horse rides for the school kids. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Neighbor Justin Marmon helped out with horse rides for the school kids.(Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Josh Senecal uses a brain jello mold to make a point about the importance of four-wheeler safety, and what happens to the brain when your head hits something. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)