By

Kristie Kuhse,   Waverly-shell Rock Middle School

Play:

Farm to School — Know Your Foods

Topics:

Access to Healthy Foods, Student Leadership,  Success with Funds

The Fuel Up to Play 60 leadership team went on a field trip to a local shrimp farm, dairy and Aronia berry farm. Students saw first hand and met with the farmers that grow these Iowa products. Students learned how shrimp are grown in Iowa in big saltwater swimming pools and held at a steady temperature of 80 degrees. The next stop on our tour was Country View Dairy. This was the first trip to a dairy farm for many students. We learned about the process of raising calves, heifers and cows. We also learned about the process of milking cows and producing yogurt. Students also got to taste a few different flavors of ice cream and yogurt made right on the farm. This is the company that our school uses in food service. Our next stop was an Aronia berry farm. We learned that Aronia berries are even healthier than blueberries. We bought a few pounds of berries and yogurt back for our student body to taste test during lunch.

How did you accomplish your goals?

Our goal was to learn how different products are produced in Iowa. Our Program Advisor made the field trip plans. Students took notes on the field trip to later use the information to teach their peers.

How did you accomplish your goals?

We arranged three different experiences during our Farm to School Adventure. We learned how various products are grown in Iowa and where they are sold. We learned from the farmers and producers about the impact of agriculture in our area of the state.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

We continue to use the information learned to impact others in our school. We purchased Aronia berries and yogurt to conduct a school-wide taste test during lunch. We also froze some of the berries to bake with later in the school year during Cooking Club and Family and Consumer Sciences class. The information learned was very beneficial as we teach others about agriculture.