Photos courtesy of DeWitt County Farm Bureau

Terry Husted, left, explains the role of blacksmithing in agriculture, showing students how common iron tools were fabricated and repaired.

CLINTON — The DeWitt County Farm Bureau and DeWitt County Museum hosted more than 100 fourth-grade students from Clinton on May 11 at the at C.H. Moore Homestead in effort to strengthen science and social studies lessons in the context of agriculture.

Stations included lessons on modern tractors, antique tractors and farm equipment, the blacksmith trade, corn products, eggs, sheep and wool, and dairy. Students even tried their hand at making homemade ice cream.

Central Illinois Ag and AHW LLC provided examples of modern equipment for students to examine. Students also learned how animals help humans when it comes to nutrition and fiber for clothing. 

Volunteers also helped students connect traditional farming techniques with modern ways of farming. They were treated to a blacksmithing demonstration as well as a tour of the museum’s large farm equipment collection, which ranges from the first wooden plows up to farm tractors from the 1950s. 

DeWitt County Museum Director Joey Woolridge said the event was boosted by energetic volunteers and an attentive group of students.  “Through the efforts of the DeWitt County Farm Bureau, local ag-related businesses, Clinton’s 4th grade educators, the DeWitt County Museum Association, and all others who volunteered their time, the students explored agriculture’s past, present and future.  We look forward to this event every year.”

This year’s volunteers represented the DeWitt-Macon-Piatt University of Illinois Extension, DeWitt County Soil and Water Conservation District, Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Farm and Clinton FFA. 

A portion of the educational material costs for Friday’s event was covered by the DeWitt County Farm Bureau Foundation, which raises money through its annual Golf Outing, scheduled for July 27, 2018, in Farmer City, to support agriculture education efforts in the county. 

The C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum, including the farm museum, are open Tuesday through Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 1-5. A Tractor Show to support the museum is planned on June 16, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an Ice Cream Social beginning at 11 a.m. 

For questions or details on upcoming events, the Farm Bureau can be reached at 217-935-2126 and the Museum at 217-935-6066.