On Wednesday, May 1, 145 third and fourth graders from Immanuel Lutheran-Hadar, St. Mary of Seven Dolors of Osmond, Osmond Community School, Pierce Zion Lutheran School, Pierce Elementary School, and Plainview Zion Lutheran School, attended the Nebraska Extension in Pierce County Life on the Farm-Ag Literacy Festival.
During the event, students rotated through eight sessions consisting of plant science, bees and honey, ethanol, beef, dairy, swine, sheep and goats, and water.
In the sessions, the presenters talked to the groups about their animal or commodity and how it all plays an important role in Nebraska agriculture. Local 4-H’ers, students in Pierce FFA, and producers led these sessions.
For plant science, Pierce FFA students Veronica Orona, Alexis Sporleder, Bailee Thelen, Evelyn Skrdla and Kaylee Olson presented. A Pierce County 4-H’er and Pierce FFA members, Brody Knox and his helper Trayton Christiansen, shared information about bees and honey.
Highlighting beef production were Pierce County 4-H’ers and FFA members Wyatt and Weston Stemick. Bill Steffen from Husker Ag shared knowledge on ethanol. Joslyn Hochstein, a Nebraska Dairy Ambassador, shared on dairy.
As for county producers, Bridget Meyer and Mckenna Deiterman, a Pierce 4-H’er, shared about sheep and goats and brought in swine for the swine presenter, Sarah Polacek, Nebraska Extension Educator of Madison County.
Representing the Lower Elkhorn NRD were Julie Wragge and Liz Lienemann, who shared about water conservation.
Farmers Pride of Battle Creek donated lunch for the presenters and volunteers of Life on the Farm. At the end of the program, the students were given a bag full of educational material to help them remember their day at Life on the Farm.
Material was sponsored by Pierce County Extension OfficeH Husker AgH Lower Elkhorn NRD, Michael Foods from WakefieldH Midwest Dairy As sociation, Nebraska Beef Council, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Soybean Board, Nebraska Corn Board, and Nebraska Sheep & Goat Producers Association.
