North Montgomery FFA member Kaden Parks guides students through the water cycle.
Montgomery County, Ind., is no stranger to understanding the importance of sustainable agriculture.
For 26 years, Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District has teamed up with Cain’s Homelike Farm to host a field day for every fourth grader in Montgomery County. Nearly 450 students experience the importance of sustainable agriculture each year through the event.
The North Montgomery FFA Chapter and the Southmont FFA Chapter partner to teach participating students about the water cycle. To help explain how water moves through the earth, attendees play a game where each student gets to become a water molecule traveling through the cycle. They have the opportunity to be in bodies of water, the sky, plants and animals. Afterward, they take time to reflect on what they learned. Finally, the members leading the activity emphasize all the different paths water can take and how no two molecules are the same.
Southmont FFA members speak with students about what they learned from the activity.
When asked about her biggest takeaway from the event, North Montgomery FFA Advisor Nancy Bell said, “Making sure fourth graders understand what conservation is and how valuable it is to be aware of our natural resources.”
Southmont FFA Advisor Erin Gilley shared a similar thought: “This is a great event, as it promotes the importance of soil and water and why we need to conserve both to some of our youngest community members.”
Many of the participating fourth graders came into the session not knowing the basic principles of the water cycle. Within 20 minutes, however, they thoroughly understood the path water takes on our earth.
The fourth graders are not the only ones learning something new from the experience. FFA members from both chapters also have the opportunity to grow their leadership skills. They do this through teaching and guiding students through the day and strengthening their public speaking skills. Learning how to work with younger students from different backgrounds can also broaden members’ outlooks on life.
Individuals ages 9 to 35 in Montgomery County schools have experienced this learning opportunity and, in turn, developed an understanding of agriculture in Montgomery County.
