05/27/2015
On May 19th we hosted Taft second graders. They came to learn; about planting soybeans and corn, see their by-products, learn about some of the machinery we use in the spring. It was a fun afternoon for all of us!
The second grade students from Taft Elementary in Humboldt had the opportunity to visit their ‘Adopt A Farmer’ families, Dean & Carol Coleman and Mike & Michelle Coleman. The students agreed to ‘adopt’ the Coleman's, earlier this spring when they visited the classroom, and follow their adventures on the farm from spring to fall. The students were sent ‘YouTube’ videos throughout the year to show what the ‘adopted farmers’ do when not in the field. They got to take a sprayer ride and see other things first hand via the internet.
The students arrived at the Coleman farm in two groups and were greeted by Dean and Carol. After a short welcome, the students were directed to different learning sessions and the fun began.
Cheryl Graaf of Humboldt presented several interesting facts on soybeans and challenged the students to lift a bushel of beans. She shared with them that soybeans are one of the oldest cultivated crops coming from China 5000 years ago. Cheryl used pictures to show the students how the soybeans flower and produce 60-80 pods with each pod containing three pea-sized beans. She also had several products made from soybeans such as crayons, hand lotion, makeup, chapstick and candles. The students were amazed that one acre of soybeans can produce 82,368 crayons.
Next the students went to a session about corn presented by Dean Coleman and Kalene Berte. They explained how one piece is called a kernel, how the kernels grow on a cob, and the cobs grow on eight foot stalks with a root system that can reach about 6 ½ feet into the ground. They used pictures of corn to show how it changes from spring to fall. They also had a bushel of corn for the students to lift and search through to find all kinds of by-products such as batteries, glue, straws, chalk, lipstick and band-aids. The students found it interesting to learn that without corn there would be no frozen pizza (corn prevents the crust from getting soggy by keeping the water out) and that an average person eats one bushel of corn in a year through a variety of food sources.
After learning some interesting facts about corn and soybeans, it was time to plant some. Michelle & Addison Coleman prepared the students for planting. First they gave each student a rubber glove to protect their hands from the chemicals on the seeds. Michelle explained that the chemicals are used to help keep the bugs from eating the seeds. Next they gave the students some corn and soybeans to plant and directed them to a field east of the Coleman’s house.
Merlin Graaf of Humboldt and Bob Nilles of Gilmore City were at the field to help the students plant their seeds. They explained how corn is planted 2” deep and soybeans are planted 1 - 1 1/2” deep. The students used their knuckles to get the right depth. This same group of students will return to the Coleman farm in the fall and have the opportunity to harvest the corn and soybeans they planted. Carol Coleman encouraged the students to stop by during the summer to see how big their plants have grown.
The students also had the opportunity to see the inside of a grain bin. Brent Kuehnast of Humboldt was on hand to explain the importance of keeping the grain at the correct temperature in the bin and how hot or warm corn is likely to mold. Brent explained how corn is dried first and then cooled down with fans. The bin the students toured is equipped with computer sensors which send an email to the Colemans each morning telling them the temperature in the bin. Brent also explained the dangers of the auger on the bin floor and how the corn is stored in the bin until it is hauled to the elevator where most of it goes to animal feed.
A visit to the farm would not be complete without seeing all the various farm equipment. Mike Coleman gave the students an opportunity to climb on the back of the planter and see inside the planter box. He also explained how the seed meter operates. The students were allowed to climb in and out of the tractors while Mike answered questions and explained what the different equipment is used for. The students enjoyed sitting in the driver’s seat and pretending to be a farmer.
At the end of the tour, the Colemans presented the students with a farmer cap from Pioneer, Dow and Monsanto. Each student also received a reusable bag and ink pen from Monsanto BioAg.
This is the 3rd year the Colemans have implemented the ‘Adopt A Farmer’ program opportunity. ‘Adopt A Farmer’ is a cultural exchange program that links classrooms with the people who get their hands dirty every day−farmers who provide the basics of everyday life. These diverse cultures join together to teach each other about their different ways of life and to address the fundamental question: “Where do things come from?”
To learn more about the Colemans and their ‘Adopt A Farmer’ program visit their website at http://adoptafarmer.wix.com/iowa and be sure to check out their “YouTube” videos at Taftadoptafarmer. Article written by Kalene Berte
Home page for Adopt a Farmers Website
adoptafarmer.wix.com
Welcome to Colemans Farm
Home page for Adopt a Farmers Website
