Submitted photo
Volunteer Joyce Adamczyk spins wool as students watch.

BELLEVILLE — On a typical school day, Jonas Weaver learns about reading, writing and arithmetic.

The third-grade student from Belleville Mennonite School didn’t mind a little change of pace — with equine science, cow milking and wool producing — if it meant getting out of the classroom.

“I liked learning about new stuff,” 8-year-old Weaver said. “We learned about wool, horses, manure and dairy products and how to milk cows, “It was fun because we didn’t have to do any work.”

Third graders from all public and private schools in Mifflin County — East Derry, Lewistown and Strodes Mills elementary schools from the Mifflin County School District, Belleville Mennonite School, Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mifflin County Christian Academy — took part in the 22nd annual Mifflin County Ag Tour on Tuesday, sponsored by the Mifflin County Farm Bureau.

Weaver’s favorite part of the day was ordering a vanilla milkshake from the Farm Show milkshake food truck. He was also excited to bring home a soybean necklace to grow.

Weaver remembered lots of tips about the farming industry, such as how putting manure in lakes and streams can result in a fish kill and how to help a mother cow with the birth of its calf.

The field trip was also a big deal to eight-year-old Brooke Yoder, a third grader from Belleville Mennonite School, “It was lots of fun,” Brooke said. “We went to lots of different stations, I liked the one that had different kinds of plants. We learned about potatoes and that they were roots (grew underground), corn, and how broccoli were plants.”

About 450 third graders spent the day at the 275-acre Dryhouse Farm in Belleville, owned by the Michael Yoder family. The Yoders bought the dairy farm in 2013 and have 220 registered Holsteins and jerseys. This marked the second time that Dryhouse Farm hosted the event.

“We enjoy the chance to educate the non-farming community about the importance of agriculture and where their food comes from,” Michael Yoder said.

The students certainly appreciated the opportunity to get out of their classrooms for the day-long trip to the Mifflin County farm.

In the late 1990s, farm bureau representatives attended a similar event in Franklin County. Mifflin County officials tinkered with the idea and eventually started a successful tour. More than 20 years later, third graders have a rare opportunity to see agriculture in action in-person.

“Each student likes something different: corn maze, wagon ride, animals,” said David Glick, who co-chaired the event with wife, Jami. “The reason we target third grade is their curriculum aligns best with our program.

“The teachers use what the kiddos learn all year long for spelling words, science projects, social studies lessons and reading and writing assignments,” he added.

Brooke Yoder and her classmates listened intently as each of the presenters spoke about different subjects. Yoder’s favorite animal was the llama.

“I also liked the covered wagon ride,” she added.

Although there were lots of informative lessons to be taught, organizers mixed in fun-filled events, such as wagon rides, sack and stick horse races and driving red-pedal tractors.

“We’re amazed at how many kids do not know anything about a farm, and they live here in Mifflin County,” Jami Glick said.

The farm bureau put together 20 educational stations around the farm, including calf raising, dairy nutrition education, animal nutrition, pesticide safety and apples farm to table.

“We have over 100 volunteers that help with set up, station presenters and tour guides,” David Glick added. “We certainly appreciate all their help because without them we couldn’t make this event happen. It takes a lot of work and preparation to make it happen.”

The project is funded by community donations and grants.