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MES students spend the day at the ranch

Every other year Malta Elementary students attend an unique, hands-on learning experience called Ag Ed Day. The day-long event, organized and hosted by Dave and Yvonne Hinman, Billy Lulloff, and all of the Hinman Angus crew, affords students the opportunity to learn about their community outside of a traditional classroom setting. Educational stations are developed and conducted by volunteers, and while certain stations are staples for the event, such as cow milking and sheep shearing, many station topics or presenters vary, making each Ag Ed Day a new and enriching experience. Ag Ed Day has always passed with rave reviews from students, teachers, and volunteers, alike, and this year’s event did not disappoint.

On Thursday, September 7, 2017, students in grades one through five traveled by bus to the Hinman Angus sale barn east of Malta and rotated through seven stations that ranged in topics from nutrition to livestock to history, and were fed a nutritious meal for lunch. Sheila Walsh and Patti Webb focused on nutrition and food origins while making smoothies at the Rainbow station. Casey Galagher (Milk River Watershed Alliance), John Lange, and Julianne Snedigar explored watershed characteristics and care of riparian areas using the Rolling Rivers Trailer. Nancy Ereaux and Conni French provided the opportunity to milk a cow and make butter and ice cream. Students tried “the old fashioned way” of dressing up and doing laundry with Sharon Emond, Jenny Oxarart, and Karla Sudbrack at the Museum station. Marko Manoukian and Mike Schuldt discussed sheep and presented shearing, while students learned about wool and textiles from Hillary Maxwell, Kelli French, and Roxanne Townsend. Finally, beef and beef-byproducts were examined at two stations: students rounded up “cows” by brand with Craig French, Kevin Koss, and Vicki Olson, and learned that Gummi Bears are a tasty byproduct with Ty Lulloff and Justin Paul. All students are encouraged to participate in a contest to express what they learned and liked best about the experience, and the entries will be judged by the Phillips County CattleWomen next month. One prize for each grade will be awarded, with prizes donated by the First State Bank.

In addition to the many volunteers putting on the stations, Gary and Barb Anderson cooked all of the hamburgers for lunch, and homemade cookies were provided for dessert by Tami Christofferson and several other CattleWomen. Norma Kelly, Sascha Cole, Dee Shettel, Mary Oxarart, Alex Wiederrick, Vicki Olson, and Taylor French helped to prepare and serve lunch. FFA leader Grant Messerly coordinated fellow FFA members to help with stations and timekeeping, including Kaden Moore, Zach Drabbs, Charlee Rhodes, Kendall Moore, and Jordan Markuson.

Ag Ed Day would not be possible without countless volunteer hours and sponsors in the community. Special thanks to the Montana Beef Council (who donated for the beef patties); to Phillips County CattleWomen, Stockgrowers, Museum, and Extension Office; to FFA; and to First State Bank for your contributions and commitment to providing educational opportunities for local youth.

 

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