Event introduces students to agriculture in Sanders County

The Third annual Ag Day saw third graders descend from all corners of Sanders County for a day of fun and learning. 

Students representing each of the county’s school districts, including five from the homeschool co-op program, filled the Sanders County Fairgrounds with laughter and learning about the many aspects of the agriculture industry. The day’s events were the brainchild of Wendy Carr, a Sanders County extension agent of agriculture, horticulture and natural resources.  

One hundred and sixteen kids roamed the fairgrounds under the supervision of volunteers and teachers. Students were divided into 12 groups, with each group rotating through learning stations. This year’s learning stations were, Barney the Bison who was missing this year, Horse Drawn Hayrides, The Dorper Corner, The Buzz on Pollinators, Get Beefy, Be a Doctor, Eggciting Poultry, Tasty Herbs, Hay You, Apple Cider Making, It’s Harvest Time, and 4-H and FFA Games.  

Each station instructor was given 20 minutes to teach and answer questions from each group of students.  

Barney the Bison station was staffed by Ranch owner Melinda Anakalea of the Harlow Ranch in Thompson Falls, minus Barney, who was having a difficult day back at the ranch. The ranch was homesteaded by Melinda’s great-great grandfather in the 1880s and covers over 2,000 acres. They started raising bison in 2020 and currently have 100 head, up from 80 last year. For those interested in learning more about bison, ranch tours are offered at the Harlow Ranch. They can be reached at, info@harlowranch.com or call 406-403-4501. 

Horse drawn hayrides were supplied by two Belgium draft horses named Jim and Apollo. The teamsters this year were Ken and Susan McCarty from St. Ignatius. Each of the 12 groups got an opportunity to ride in the wagon. 

Dorper Corner had several sheep on display supplied by Carissa McNamara. Students could pet Summer the sheep and feed her as well as learning about the type of wool they produce. One student said that the sheep are very soft. 

The next station was Buzz on Pollinators, with members of the Eastern Sanders County Conservation District and Green Mountain Conservation District, Morgan Owens, and Emily Baker. Students learned about how pollinators (flowering plants that attract bees) help the environment. 

The fairground cattle barn was the location of the Get Beefy station. Tutoring the kids was Western Montana Cattle Association member Nick Courville, from Charlo. Students learned about how cattle are raised and used. 

Be a Doctor was taught by Thompson Falls veterinarian, Dr. Stephanie McIntyre. She spoke about the health and illnesses of horses. Each student was given the opportunity to listen to the heartbeat of a horse with a stethoscope. 

The Eggciting Poultry station was staffed by Whitney Spurr, who displayed several live chickens. This was Spurr’s second year helping as an instructor. 

Alan and Cody Hafner were on hand at the Hay You station, showing off the equipment needed to bale hay and the many types of equipment it takes to harvest hay on a typical farm. 

Bruce Beckstead and Marilynn Carr were on hand for the third year, to teach students about how apple cider is made. Students watched while Carr peeled apples. Beckstead had kids help him operate the apple press and each were rewarded with a cup of freshly squeezed apple cider. 

The It’s Harvest Time station, was taught by Waterway, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm owner Elizabeth Riffle. Riffle showed off some of this year’s harvest. Her farm is located at 12 Fruitland Lane in Thompson Falls. They have been in business for six years growing flowers and all natural vegetables grown from seed with natural fertilizers from their own animals. Their phone number is 406-529-0514. 

New to this year’s Ag Days was Tasty Herbs, with master gardener instructors Lisa Carson and Sue Marsh, both from Thompson Falls. Kids were able to taste the many types of herbs being used in today’s food. 

4-H games were staffed with youth volunteers, Melody Cook, Jayden Cook, Andrew Wrobleski, Katherine Wrobleski, Elsie Meyers, and Brooklynn Crain, from 4-H and FFA. The big draw this year was learning the fine art of operating a lasso and trying to capture a horned straw bale. This event, like last year, was best viewed from a distance so the audience didn’t find themselves getting roped.  

A midday lunch was served for all students and volunteers. Items and food were donated by the following: Montana Farmers Union, MSU Extension - Sanders County, Western Montana Stockmen's Association, Clearwater Credit Union, First Security Bank, Valley Bank, Hope for Harley, Eastern Sanders County Conservation District, and Waterway.

Sponsors for AG Day helped with buying local hamburger and produce, and the rest of the lunch supplies. The sponsorships also helped with buying souvenirs to send home with each kid at each station, supplies for helping the day happen, as well as the Fair Pavilion rental. The Fairgrounds donated the Fairground’s use for free other than the Pavilion. Volunteers Don Feist, Ron Warren, Beb Warren, Scott Johnson Dee Dee Johnson, Pam Evans, Shannon Allen, Chris Allen, Dillion Martini cooked and served lunch to the kids.

Special thanks went out to Wendy Carr for her work directing Ag Days and making the event possible.

“I was told it was the best year yet of the three years we have put on AG Day,” Carr said. “I feel like it was a great day, and everything ran smoothly.  After three years, we have worked out the kinks and most of the volunteers know what they are doing.”

“The kids were engaged, volunteers and stations leaders had a blast teaching, and teachers and chaperones were complimentary. I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful fall day, seeing kids in our county learning about our local resources in agriculture and where their food comes from."

    Eastern Sanders County Extension member Emily Baker and Green Mountain Conservation District member Morgan Owens show Noxon students the importance of pollinators in nature. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Plains third grader Legend Corby tries out the apple press sponsored by Bruce Beckstead and Marolyn Carr. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Waterway owner Elizebeth Riffle teaches Hot Spring students about vegetables. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)