Adopt a Farmer Program

Adopt a Farmer Program

As all of us in agriculture realize — the general public is getting further and further away from knowing and understanding how their food is grown. The Oregon AgLink's began its Adopt a Farmer Program six years ago and it brings a farmer or rancher into middle school class rooms to help students learn more about agriculture first hand.

Oregon AgLink's Vice President of Outreach Mallory Phelan speaks to value of having the farmer in the classroom at this age

Phelan: "I often hear things from farmers about how much they learn from the students. Farmers feel there is a disconnect and so that is why they want to participate so they can talk to the next generation of voters — really what a lot of them look at it as. They realize that kids are very open and willing to learn and they don't have quite as many roadblocks or hurdles to get over than maybe someone who have been around a little longer than sixth, seventh or eighth graders. So they are very open to learning and have a lot of fun. They come away not being so scared of middle schoolers. So as far as the benefits go, a handful of the farmers I work really do see it as a way to in five or six years these students will be of voting age and they want them to have a positive connection with the farm."

The program provides a field trip for the students to visit the farm then the farmers work with teachers in the classroom to make sure activities tie-in to curriculum. The farmers have done activities related to soil, water, conservation, irrigation, genetics, farm-to-table continuum and economics.

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