Students from two schools recently toured Iowa beef farms in a unique way: virtually. Without leaving the classroom, students could interact live with a farmer and take a tour of the farm through videoconferencing technology.

This Ag in the Classroom program is called FarmChat. Students can interact with a variety of different farmers or agribusiness professionals to learn about the science, technology, engineering and math involved in the agricultural industry.

Third- and fourth-grade students from Gilmore City-Bradgate Elementary in Gilmore City in northwest Iowa have been studying beef production as part of a competition provided by the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation. The contest is known as “High Steaks! Beef Marketing.”

Learning about beef production
Divided into teams, the class developed marketing posters highlighting the nutritional aspects of a specific beef product. More than 40 entries were submitted during the competition, and these elementary students captured the first- and second-place prize.

Part of the prize package included a barbecue beef lunch, and a virtual field trip and tour of a beef farm. The students connected with a local Humboldt County beef producer, Nick Bouden, who showcased his feedlot and explained how he finishes cattle and raises them to market weight.

ON THE FARM: Nick Bouden describes his beef production operation to Gilmore City-Bradgate elementary students.

Chariton middle school students from Chariton in southern Iowa captured the first place for the middle school division. They developed a marketing plan to make and sell beef jerky. Through the project, they developed their product and conduced taste tests to improve the recipe. They identified a target audience, produced ad campaigns and assembled other parts of the marketing plan.

Cattle can help conserve soil
The Chariton students connected with a farmer in central Iowa, Bruce Carney, and learned about the conservation practices he uses while raising beef cattle. They learned about intensive grazing practices that better allow plants to rest and recover after grazing animals pass through.

They also learned about the Carney’s efforts to plant trees as shade for the animals and as a method of helping control and minimize soil erosion.

Though the farm was over an hour away, students could interact with the farmer live and carry on a conversation learning about his farm.

Tech get students up close
FarmChat uses technology, such as Skype, FaceTime, Zoom and other software platforms, to bring the farm into the classroom. Students can speak directly with the farmer and even ride along in the combine or see animals up close and personal all from a safe and secure place.

“Most students don’t ever have an opportunity to visit a livestock farm,” says Cindy Hail, ILAF education program manager. “This program gives students that chance, helping them understand where their food comes from and the care that goes into raising animals.”

FarmChat programs can happen throughout the year and be matched with topics teachers are covering in their classrooms. These two programs were scheduled in conjunction with the annual May Beef Month celebration. The “High Steaks! Beef Marketing” competition was sponsored in part by the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

For more information about FarmChat or to learn about Ag in the Classroom programs in your area, visit iowaagliteracy.org.

Source: Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation