2009 Harvest Days Report
“Harvest Days” is the agricultural themed event based on the provincial grade three curriculum supported annually by the Lambton Kent Ag in the Classroom action committee. University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus hosted the event where the facilities enable a variety of farm like learning experience for the students. The Harvest Days program is open to all elementary schools in Lambton and Chatham Kent.
A record year for Harvest Days saw the 2009 program filled quickly with a waiting list of schools from 2008. It was lengthened by a half day to attempt to meet all the schools who desired to register. Fifteen Schools, 33 classes, 683 students, 33 teachers and 71 parents, for a grand total of 787 people touring. Weather was incorporated into the event as “farmers work in all kinds of weather”. Students donned makeshift rain gear fashioned from oversize trash bags and toured as scheduled. “This is the best field trip I have ever been on.” was overheard by the tractor driver while students were embarking on the wagon. Thankfully most students were dressed appropriately for the cool wet weather which dogged the event in 2009.
Evaluations indicate satisfaction with the program from schools attending. The program runs twice daily over 6 ½ days, the last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and this year Friday in September and the first Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of October. September 30, 2009, two schools attending on World Milk Day were treated to complimentary 250 ml carton of 2% milk provided by the Kent Dairy Producers. Over 125 students enjoyed the fresh milk with their lunches.
Presenters for 2009 were:
Margaret Pool “A day in the dairy” - The group toured the dairy facility and milk house and was able to experience the behaviour, smell and size of the dairy cows and their environment. The manure pit was a learning point and was explained as recycling and responsible stewardship.
John Taylor “Early Settlers” - Dressed in authentic period clothing John engaged the students on the settlement of Kent County at “The Forkes.” Students hear information on the resources available before European settlement, discuss settlement and survival. First Nations people and assistance to the survival of settlers and crops first grown along with crop uses then and today are also outlined.
Margaret Richmond “Soil and Seeds“ - Feeling the texture of soil, identifying seeds and observing the sprouting habits of various beans, wheat and corn are some of the activities highlighted at this stop. Students are encouraged to touch, feel and smell growing seedlings and the soil components. The classes receive packets of soybean, wheat and corn seeds throughout the event. A “Seed Viewer” project developed especially for Harvest Days is included in the school resource package to compliment the grade three learning unit on Plants.
Mary Margaret McDonald “I Spy - Agriculture” - Students identify farm buildings, equipment, animals and crops with correct terminology while riding on a covered wagon for a campus tour. Photographs mounted on a poster of items and areas on Campus are matched as they pass the actual objects in a combined version of “I Spy” and “Bingo” for students while on tour. Farm safety is a by-product of the popular tractor and wagon ride.
Exploration using our early settlers past, native soils, agricultural production, the food webs and technology are used as a basis for the hands on learning. The Students and Teachers receive appropriate teaching resources pre tour and post tour which includes activity sheets, pamphlets and posters, games and factsheets with an Agriculture theme. We source appropriate material from various commodity and farm organizations and marketing boards. A few are listed below: OCA, OSMA, FVGO, OAFE, DFO and Agriculture Canada. The Campus provided a pumpkin to take back to each classroom this year along with an LKAITC developed activity sheet. Teachers are encouraged to continue the agricultural theme throughout the school year and the units taught.
