The COVID-19 global pandemic and forced economic shutdown have left most of Alabama’s school children at home; being educated by their parents, with some resources being sent by the school systems. Most parents are struggling to find educational resources to keep their children both learning and engaged. Alabama farmers are coming to the aid of parents by hosting virtual field trips every Friday through May 22.
The Alabama farmers are hosting the virtual field trips through Facebook Live on the Alabama Farmers Federation Facebook page every Friday at 10:00 a.m.
The first of these programs was held on Friday, April 3rd and addressed peanuts.
Roughly half of the peanuts grown in the United States are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan.
The farmers explained how peanuts grow, the life cycle of the peanut plants, and how farmers use nature, hard work, and science to turn the legumes into the common household peanut derived food stuff that we all enjoy.
During future presentations will explain when do Alabama farmers grow different fruits and vegetables? What’s the difference between a cow, a bull and a calf? How do farmers get honey from bees? How do farmers raise catfish? And many more interesting topics.
The Alabama farmers will answer all those questions and much more during the Virtual Field Trips offered through Facebook Live on the Alabama Farmers Federation Facebook page every Friday at 10 a.m. through May 22.
“Parents and their children are making huge adjustments as their homes become classrooms, and we want to help by offering entertaining and educational field trips from some of our farmers,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Communications Department director Jeff Helms. “While these videos will target third through fifth graders, people of all ages will learn more about how farmers grow food, fiber and timber.”
“For all of the parents who are helping teach kids from home, this virtual field trip will be coming up,” said Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville on social media. “Thank you to all the teachers and parents who have had to adapt to distance learning during these Stay at Home days.”
The farmers are gearing up for their next Virtual Field Trip on April 10. Friday’s topic will be fruits and vegetables.
The list of currently scheduled topics, subject to change, include:
- April 3 – Peanuts and other row crops.
- April 10 – Fruits and vegetables.
- April 17– Beef cattle.
- April 24 – Honeybees.
- May 1 – Catfish.
- May 8 – Greenhouse and nursery products.
- May 15 – Forestry.
- May 22 – Cotton and other row crops.
To receive Facebook notifications about the Virtual Field Trips, respond as “Interested” in the event or follow the Alabama Farmers Federation page.
This Virtual Field Trips project was developed in conjunction with Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA).
(Original reporting by Alabama Farmer Federation’s Mary Wilson contributed to this report.)
