The Yellowstone County Farm Bureau hosted two events for students: Earth Day Cleanup at Shepherd Elementary and an Accurate Ag Book reading at Custer School.  

Katie Kratky helps with the Earth Day Clean-Up .

Elementary school students, the Shepherd FFA and several Yellowstone County Farm Bureau members participated in picking up litter around the school grounds and ball fields Earth Day, April 22. Cindy Todd, Yellowstone County Farm Bureau Young Farmer, said, “I talked to the kids about how it’s important to take care of their communities and that it’s their responsibility to pick up after themselves and dispose of garbage.” 

In addition, Todd told class that farmers and ranchers care for their land very similarly because they want it to be healthy for many years so it is important that they maintain the land where they live, work and learn.  

Gretchen Schubert reads to students at Custer.

The Accurate Ag Book Reading took place April 25 at the Custer School. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade heard members read, “Right This Very Minute,” a book that explains in an easy and fun way how farmers produce food you are about to eat. The corresponding activity had the children matching the commodity with the final product, whether it was a dairy cow with cheese, or a cotton plant with a T-shirt. 

“As Yellowstone County Farm Bureau members, we haven’t spent much time in the outlying communities like Custer, and decided that doing an Accurate Ag Book reading would be a worthwhile endeavor,” said Teddi Vogel, YCFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chair. “Not only did we get to share a fun activity and book with a different school, but we were able to work with Jen Abel, a new member of Farm Bureau, who is excited to become more involved. Our classroom educational events are such a great way to connect with young people, involve our members and have a ton of fun teaching kids about agriculture.”