On Friday, November 1, 2024, 102 fifth-grade students from Minnewaska Schools in Glenwood, Minnesota, took part in the annual 5th Grade Ag Day, a Farm Camp Minnesota experience. This event is designed to immerse students in the agricultural richness of their own community, showcasing the vast opportunities available right at home while fostering a deeper appreciation for local industries. The impact of Farm Camp was evident: before the event, only 28.6% of students could name five agricultural careers beyond farming, but after the experience, that number soared to 68.2%.
A Purposeful Learning Journey
The goal of the day was simple yet impactful: to get 5th graders into their community, learning about the vast agricultural opportunities around them. Through interactive experiences and real-world connections, students not only gained knowledge but also discovered the vital role agriculture plays in their everyday lives.
Three Steps of a Farm Camp Experience
- Building Knowledge: Students started with a standards-based curriculum that introduced them to essential agricultural concepts, setting the stage for their field trip.
- Exploring the Community: Onsite visits to local farms and agribusinesses gave students a hands-on understanding of the processes, technology, and people behind agriculture.
- Envisioning Careers: After their visits, students explored the diverse career paths available in agriculture, sparking ideas for their futures.
Connecting with the Community
This year’s tour included stops at Dorrich Dairy, R.D. Offutt Farms, MaxBats, and Brut Worm Farms, where students explored:
- Dairy Innovations: Robotic systems for milking cows and cleaning floors.
- Potato Storage & Composting: Keeping potatoes fresh for a year and turning waste into usable compost.
- Manufacturing Insights: How baseball bats are made and the surprising amount of string needed for rope production.
Students walked away amazed, as one shared, “I got to see how a lot of our community works.”
Teacher and Student Reflections
Following the experience, an impressive 94.1% of students reported feeling knowledgeable about agriculture, a significant increase from just 59.2% prior to attending—showcasing the transformative impact of hands-on learning and real-world connections.
Educators were equally thrilled with the event’s success. Josh Greene, a 5th-grade teacher, shared, “It was another great trip. We did thank-yous to all places and we are still buzzing about the trip. If at all possible, we would love to continue this once again next year.”
Overcoming Barriers
Transportation is often a hurdle for field trips, but thanks to a Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Transportation Grant, all costs were covered. This generous support ensured that students could access this invaluable learning opportunity.
Looking Ahead
This experience has once again planted seeds of knowledge and curiosity in Minnewaska’s fifth graders. Next year will mark the fourth Farm Camp experience with these dedicated educators, highlighting how this event has become a trusted teaching tool that seamlessly combines standards-based curriculum with an engaging, hands-on field trip. By connecting students to local agricultural opportunities, Farm Camp continues to inspire future learning and strengthen ties to the community, promising an even greater impact in the years ahead!