Gehlan Catholic students listen to Scott Thoms of Plymouth Dairy talk about the daily work routine found on a dairy farm, during the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee Ag Tours.
(Le Mars) — Nearly 260 third and fourth grade students from Le Mars Community, Gehlan Catholic, Remsen-Union and Remsen St. Mary’s schools had their classroom located on farms Thursday morning. The elementary students participated on the
annual farms tour which is hosted by the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee. The farmers were the teachers for the day, as the students saw a lamb being sheared at the Mark and Lori Loutsch sheep farm, learned from Tony and Shirley Schroeder as to how many hamburgers come from one
market beef steer, found out from Roger Schroeder that hogs offer many medical benefits, and they heard from Herdsman Scott Thoms from Plymouth Dairy, as to how much milk each cow produces on a daily basis. The one common message that each farmer shared with the group of elementary students is that their food starts on a farm, and not from a grocery store or supermarket. Scott Thoms says that is an important fact he likes to share with students.
Thoms believes the elementary students have a better understanding and appreciation for agriculture as a result of the field-day tours to the farms. Thoms says he likes to share some of the trivia facts and numbers regarding
Plymouth Dairy for anyone that tours the dairy farm facilities.
Stacy Bunkers teaches third grade at Le Mars Community Franklin Elementary School. She says the farm tours serve as an important aspect of a student’s education.
Patty Hatting is a fourth grade teacher at Gehlen Catholic. She too, believes such farm field trips are important for students, especially when the majority of students have never before visited a farm. Hatting says she incorporates farming culture as part of her curriculum.
Following the farm tour, the students had a lunch at Cleveland Park consisting of either a grilled hamburger or pork burger, chips, cookie, milk and ice cream.
