Adopt A Farmer

Fourth grade classrooms across the state have the chance to "adopt" a farmer for the school year. Our farmers then send the classroom monthly video updates about what is going on at the farm that month. The farmer also visits the classroom at least once during the school year. For more information or to register your class to "adopt" a farmer email info@agunited.org.

Adam Mohrhauser, March 2017

March 6, 2017

Originally filmed March 2015. Discussion: Adam told us that preparing for planting is a yearlong process. He began in October by doing tests on the soil and is now looking into what kind of seed corn to buy. Why do you think he researches and…

Heidi Selken, March 2017

March 1, 2017

Originally filmed March 2016 Standard & Question: 4.H.3.1 Compare and contrast life today with life in historical time periods Heidi explained that sand is used instead of straw. How else do you think caring for cows is different now than…

Pete Bakken, March 2017

March 1, 2017

Originally filmed March 2015. Discussion: Peter told us that some people wonder if it is good for the cattle to be transported together in a trailer. He then told us that cattle are similar to people because they are social creatures. Why may…

Phil Eggers, March 2017

March 1, 2017

Content Standard & Question: 4.ET.CT.1.1 Identify the role of technology in a community and society Phil talked to us about his bull sale this month. What role did technology play in his sale? Can you list some of the jobs that related to the…

Josh Kayser, March 2017

March 1, 2017

Discussion Question: Why do farmers use fertilizer? Plants need water, sunlight, and nutrients from the soil to grow. Fertilizer adds these nutrients to the ground. Content Standard & Question 4.RF.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and…

Ross Varilek, February 2017

February 15, 2017

Originally filmed February 2016

Heidi Selken, February 2017

February 6, 2017

Core Standard & Question: 4.OA.2 Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing multiplicative…

Bruce Burkhart, February 2017

February 1, 2017

Explain: A shot is given only to pigs if they are sick. Just like you get medicine when you are sick, the pigs do as well to help them feel better. Discussion Question: Bruce mentioned the manure goes down through the slats to where it…

Phil Eggers, February 2017

February 1, 2017

Content Standard & Question: 4.OA operations and algebraic thinking Phil’s dad hopped on the scale for us, and he was 260lbs. If he was sick, Phil told us that he would need 3cc’s per 100 weight. That means that you should give 3 cc’s (ml) for…

Adam Mohrhauser, January 2017

January 31, 2017

Originally filmed January 2015. Discussion: Adam told us that he gives vaccinations to keep calves healthy. Do you remember getting shots when you were young? Do you know why you got them? Standard: : 4.OA.2 Multiply or divide to solve word…

Greg Moes, January 2017

January 31, 2017

Discussion: Cows and calves have a very specialized diet to stay healthy. What are foods that you should eat to stay healthy? Greg told us that many of his feed ingredients are by-products. Do you know what a by-product is? Can you think of other…

Dawn Nagel, January 2017

January 30, 2017

Originally filmed January 2016. Standard: 5.5.3 List healthy options to health-related issues or problems. Dawn makes sure her cattle get all the right nutrients, and explained how they feed the cows in the winter to make sure they are healthy.…

Heidi Selken, January 2017

January 20, 2017

Originally filmed January 2016 Discussion: Heidi told us that they recycle sand for the cows to lie on. What are things that you can recycle? Why is recycling important? What things can you recycle? Teacher Resource: List of things that can be…

Pete Bakken, January 2017

January 11, 2017

Originally filmed January 2015. Discussion: Why is manure good for the soil? How is this a type of recycling? What things can you recycle? List of things that can be recycled: http://earth911.com/recycling/ Teacher Resource: Teacher…

Jim Petrik, January 2017

January 4, 2017

Originally filmed March 2015. Teacher Resource: http://blog.ohiopork.org/pig-grow-fast-naturally/#.VQCNUlYwhZg Core Standard & Question: 4.OA.3 Solve multi-step word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using…

Bruce Burkhart, January 2017

January 1, 2017

Core Content Standard & Question 4.OA.2 Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing…

Pete Bakken, December 2016

December 28, 2016

Originally filmed December 2014. Discussion: Many of us get a flu shot each year, or vaccinations against disease when we are young. Peter cares about his animals and wants them to stay healthy. * It is important to know that cattle given…

Dawn Nagel, December 2016

December 18, 2016

Originally filmed December 2015. Discussion: Dawn harvested corn, sunflowers, and soybeans. What are some of the uses for these grains? Teacher Resource: Uses for corn Uses for Soy Uses for sunflowers game! Core Content Standard &…

Josh Kayser, December 2016

December 18, 2016

Discussion Question: Do you have a garden? When do you normally plant seeds? (April / May) Content Standard & Question 4.RF.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. a. Use combined knowledge of…

Jim Petrik, December 2016

December 3, 2016

Originally filmed December 2014. Discussion Question: Jim talked about how he uses a lot of math and science when he’s farming. What are other careers that use math and science? Teacher Resource:…

Heidi Selken, December 2016

December 2, 2016

Discussion: Boadwine Farms works hard to protect the environment. They save fuel by not driving the manure to apply it on the fields. They also recycle their water, and reuse animal waste. What are things that you can do to protect the environment?…

Adam Mohrhauser, December 2016

December 2, 2016

Originally filmed December 2014. Discussion: Adam makes sure that his cattle have all the nutrients they need to stay fed and healthy in the winter. He works with an animal nutritionist to make sure that the cattle have the right nutrients in…

Bruce Burkhart, December 2016

December 1, 2016

Core Content Standard & Question 4.OA.2 Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing…

Greg Moes, December 2016

December 1, 2016

Discussion: Baby calves live in separate pens when they are young to prevent the spread of germs. What are things you can do to prevent spreading germs to your classmates? Content Standard & Question: 4.MD.1.1 Solve problems involving…

Phil Eggers, December 2016

December 1, 2016

Content Questions: Phil told us that his cows have a diet that is balance by a nutritionist to stay healthy. Cows need to have the proper amount of protein, energy, vitamins, and mineral to stay healthy. What are foods that you can eat to stay…

Ross Varilek, November 2016

November 30, 2016

Originally filmed November 2015 Discussion: Ross told us that his family works together to run the ranch. South Dakota has 33,000 farms and 98% of them are run by families. Why do you think that his family works together on the ranch? …

Dawn Nagel, November 2016

November 16, 2016

Originally filmed in November 2015. Discussion: Silage is the entire corn plant chopped up and fermented. This is kind of like turning a cucumber in to a pickle! Here’s a great link about the science of pickles.…

Heidi Selken, November 2016

November 4, 2016

Discussion Question: Heidi told us about the technology that they use on their farm with the Electronic ID tags. This allows the farmers to keep a closer eye on the cows and take better care of them. What are some ways that technology has made your…

Adam Mohrhauser, November 2016

November 4, 2016

Discussion Question: Adam told us that his farm is his family’s original homestead. What does this mean? Teacher Resource: Information for students about the Homestead Act.…

Greg Moes, November 2016

November 3, 2016

Discussion: Greg told us that the farm was homesteaded in 1874. What is a homestead? What possible challenges would a person homesteading face? How did homesteading contribute to the growth of SD? Content Standard & Question: 4.US.1.1.…

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