September 27, 2023 |
Photo – Map of Saratoga Ag Day Activity Stations – Courtesy SER Conservation District
The Saratoga Encampment Rawlins Conservation District is hosting its annual ag day at the Saratoga Elementary School.
Tomorrow afternoon, SER Conservation District will hold an agricultural education event at the Saratoga Elementary School football field. SER Conservation District Education Coordinator Justin Stern said various ag and conservation groups around Carbon County have teamed up to teach kids about the importance of farming and ranching.
Saratoga students from kindergarten through grade six will visit eight different stations set up by local agricultural producers and agencies. Stern said the first station, called Agriculture Olympics, will use fun activities to teach children about the different jobs ranchers do.
The conservation district’s Jordynne Holmberg will run the Agriculture Olympics station.
Station two is titled Tools of the Trade. Stern said Shively Hardware North will provide a tractor and other farming equipment so kids can get familiar with some of the machinery needed to run a ranch.
Station three is called Hats off to Ag. Stern said Wyoming Farm Service Agency’s Sheryl Hunter will teach students about the types of businesses that support the agriculture industry.
Station four, called Four-Legged Agriculture Tool, focuses on the use of dogs in a ranch setting. Stern said Elk Mountain Rancher Clyde Johnson will demonstrate his dogs’ herding skills. Johnson is a cattle dog breeder and trainer with over 40 years of experience.
The fifth station is titled Flower Farming. Stern said Brooke Seitz, of Barefoot Brook Florist, will discuss some of the unique methods she uses to extend the flower growing season into the colder months.
4H volunteer Dori Fritz will run the sixth station, called Horsing Around. Fritz, an experienced horsewoman, will bring one of her horses and talk about equine care. Kids will not be permitted to ride the horse.
Station seven is titled Agriculture engineering. Stern said Natural Resources Conservation Service Engineer Luke Paludan will talk about the ways engineers can help ranchers. Stern described some of the activities a rancher may employ an engineer to do.
The eighth, and final, station offers students a place to rest and enjoy an ag-related snack. Stern said Saratoga Elementary Parent Teacher Organization volunteers will read a selection of farming and ranching books to the kids.
Stern said a ninth station was planned, but the presenter had to cancel.
The 2023 Saratoga Elementary School Ag Day is tomorrow, Thursday, September 28th, from noon to 3:00 pm. All eight agriculture education stations will be set up in the football field west of the school.
