Sustainable Agriculture Using All Five Senses

Sustainable Agriculture Using All Five Senses

Summary

Lesson #1 Soils
Jeff Loof, NRCS Soil Conservationist, came to the school on September 15th and presented a hands-on soil lesson with the 25 students: Healthy versus Unhealthy Soils. Healthy soils were sponge-like and when they were flooded, the run-off was cleaner water. The unhealthy, hard-packed soils had very muddy run-off and fell apart easily, not retaining any of the water when in the rain simulator. Senses: sight and hands.

Lesson #2 Diverse Crops
Dale Hebda from Hebda’s Produce gave students a farm tour on September 21st and discussed local food systems. Dale also discussed healthy versus unhealthy soils and how this affects his crops. He pointed out that the shine on his green peppers was due to silica that he amends his soil with yearly. He discussed soil tests and being involved in creating the best soil possible for the most healthy plants. He explained how by investing in his soil, he can worry less about disease and insect infestation, as the plants own metabolism is strong enough to defend the crop typically. This input helps him save money in the long run. He also showed students how his hoophouses and greenhouses help extend his season and grow larger produce, because he can control the environment easier. Senses: Taste, sight, touch, smell, sound

Lesson #3 Local Foods
Dr. Amy Schweinle came to the class at the school and in the cafeteria on September 30th and presented to the class on consuming local foods, and cooking and eating them as well. She first engaged the students in a lesson demonstrating how local produce travels less and carries more nutrients for the consumer than produce picked unripe and shipped many miles to the store. She discussed the farmer’s markets in our area and gave each student, and their teachers, $5 each in ‘Market Bucks’. These certificates can be used throughout the year at the Vermillion Farmer’s Market, 20 miles from the school.
Senses: taste, smell, sight, touch

Lesson #4 Wetlands and Water Conservation
Today! October 14th, with Jeff Loof; Lauren Hollenbeck, County Extension; and Drew Gortmaker, True Value presenting, students proceeded to each station learning for twenty minutes at each station. Three rain barrels were constructed for the school garden with Drew from True Value Hardware store in Vermillion. Jeff Loof, from the county NRCS office returned to the school, this time to teach students about the prairie plants which grow in the field behind their school. Lauren, the Clay County Extension agent and 4H leader discussed lessons about wetlands.
The grant was summed up by the end of October with the 5th grade submitting learning evaluations. Budget has been coming in as expected. The field trip cost about a $100 less than expected, but the students have been inspired to grow pumpkins from the pumpkin seeds saved after Halloween. The money was reinvested into soil and starter trays to kick-start their pumpkin seedlings. Photos, surveys, evaluations, some lesson plan information. photo release forms, and receipts will be submitted by upload, mail and/or faxed in early February 2016 .

• Digging potatoes in the school garden
• Rain Simulator Lesson
• Fifth Graders sharing some of the Potato Pizza with Sixth Grade
• Jeff Loof teaching Fifth Graders about Soil

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