Abraham Lincoln
created the U.S.
Department of
Agriculture in 1862. At
that time about 90 out
of every 100 Americans
were farmers. Today,
that number has shrunk
to just 2 out of every 100
Americans.
Why is learning about farming
important?
1
So many kids don't know where
their food comes from or what
their food is. To them, pork and
pig are totally different things. Vegetables
are mystery edibles they are forced
to eat. Everyone needs to understand
where food comes from, how it is raised
and the amazing process of bringing food
from the farm to your plate.
2
Farming is a big responsibility.
Daily care for animals and
plants is essential for raising and
producing a quality, healthy and delicious
product. Feeding and watering, cleaning
and grooming, building and fixing are
daily tasks that take place on every farm,
everyday.You learn why a farmer is so
important and what their role is in the
production of the food that feeds them,
their families and their friends.
3
Proper care for animals is essential
in raising quality food. Animals
need food, shelter and TLC to
grow healthy and happy. You learn why
different animals receive different feed,
require different types of shelter and
need different care at different times.
You learn to be aware, observant and
alert to the different animal needs.
4
There are some things that you
just cannot learn from a book
or in school. Farming teaches
everyone life skills like raising food,
working hard, communication, caring for
others and much more.
5
Being aware of your surroundings
is the number one rule when
farming. Milking cows, working
on equipment, feeding pigs, catching
chickens, working in the gardens all
require safety awareness at all times. You
learn to keep your guard up at all times
to protect yourself, the animals and the
farm around them.
6
Spending a day, a week or a
lifetime on a farm will change the
way you see food. Food becomes
a reward not just something that comes
from a grocery store. When you grow
and raise your own food, you are more
"Agriculture
is the
foundation of
manufacture
and
commerce."
• Goats and sheep don't have teeth on
their upper jaw. They have a hard
palate that helps them grind their
food.
• Goats are great companions for other
farm animals, including horses, cows, and
chickens.
• Sheep make a bleating sound. A baby lamb can identify its
mother by her bleat.
• One mature ewe (female sheep) produces 7 to
10 pounds of newly shorn wool a year – enough
to make a man's suit.
• Goats were the first animal to be
domesticated, according to many
historians.
• Some breeds
of chickens can
lay colored
eggs. The
Ameraucana and
Araucana can lay
eggs of green or blue.
Fun facts
about farm
animals
42 • Of f icialKidsMag.com • MARCH 2020
