Adopt a Rancher

These are my adopted kids...okay, well, not all of them...well, not any of them! But I'm their adopted rancher! This is a picture of my introduction to a second grade classroom who wants to be my pen pal and learn about cattle ranching in Kansas. I'm very excited about this program!

I met their teacher early this summer while she was at an Ag in the Classroom session, and I was helping my parents host the ranch tour. I mentioned that I would love to connect with a classroom to help the kids learn about agriculture, and at the same time emphasize things they're already learning like English, math, geography, Earth science and grammar. There were a few teachers interested, and this gal stepped up to the plate and included it in her curriculum!

Near the end of each month, the kids will each write me a letter or draw a picture with words as labels for the drawing and I will respond with a story about what is going on at my ranch and pictures or video. I already have lots of stories built up through this blog, but I'm excited to haul my video camera around while I do chores and cattle work and get special video for the kids. I will try to answer their individual questions and respond to their stories. Some months, they may not have time to write individual letters, so they may only dictate a group letter to their teacher. Or they may get more creative!

I think one of the best parts of this is talking with kids, answering their questions and showing them that their opinions are important. I love kids and I'm excited to be connecting with a group of them.  We hope to be able to Skype at least once during the school year, and since the school is about 30 miles from my ranch, they may be able to come for a spring field trip. If they can't come to me, I could take a cow and calf to them! We'll see how that works out in the spring. 

Until now, I just want to spread the word--if any classroom is interesting in adopting me or finding a rancher in their area, just let me know! I can help you out! Also, if any rancher is interested in more information about being a pen pal for a classroom, do not hesitate to ask! I'd love to see ranchers all over the country connect with classrooms on a regular basis. It leads to better understanding of agriculture, as well as showing the kids that they are valued.

10 comments:

  1. Wow, this post is very timely! I am doing an ag theme in my classess this year and I am planning on asking a few farmers and ranchers to come visit my classroom in a few weeks. I wish we were closer - I would ask you to come!

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  2. Great idea, Sarah! Have fun this year teaching the kids where their food comes from! :)

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  3. My husband and I were just discussing having field trips out to our ranch last night over supper. My big concern is getting the grants/money for the schools in order to afford the busses. Do you have any information on that? We were dreaming of doing a whole cycle of life which would take half the day starting with a Cow/calf pair and finishing with burgers and everything in between! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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  4. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME idea, Natty! I have no idea about grants for the bus, but remember, many classrooms usually take a field trip out of town. This could be their trip instead of to a museum or whatever this year. I would encourage you to contact the school and see if there is a snag with the bus. If so, they may have ideas as to grant money. Rock on, Gal!

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  5. Wow!! What a VERY COOL idea, I love it!! My Husband is a High School Ag Teacher so Ag obviously is incorporated in every class all day long but I would love to see something like this for the younger kids. It can also get kids interested in 4H and FFA. So cool!! You will have to keep us updated on how it goes.

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  6. Our county farm bureau has ag awarness day and we've had give grants for buses the past couple of years.

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  7. Excellent information, Tom! Thanks for sharing...I hope Natty reads this!

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  8. I found your blog through Prairieland Partners Sept/Oct issue of The Furrow--and am so glad I did. This post makes me nostalgic for my teaching days--a llama once visited my first grade class, but never a cow and calf! I am back at home on the farm and blog about Farmer John's and my adventures at http://heopensanother.blogspot.com
    Thanks for this wonderful ag blog, Sincerely, Farmer Linda

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  9. Target gives grants to fund field trip experiences. You can apply through their website. Hurry though, the deadline for this year's funding is just 21 days away.

    Good luck!

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  10. This is such an awesome idea! What a great way to help bridge the country-city divide! I would love to do something like this here in Australia....I'll have to look into it!

    www.trioangus.blogspot.com

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