City youths learn how food grows and crops are raised by farmers

ROPE ‘EM: Kamryn Newsome of Shasta Meadows Elementary tries her hand with a lariat at Food City Day.

Food does not come from the grocery store. It comes from the integration of sunlight and earth and plants and animals, said Shasta County Farm Advisor Larry Forero, describing the food chain to a group of fourth graders.

About 550 children from across the county learned that and more at the 2010 Farm City Day field trip to the Shasta District Fair grounds on Sept. 29.

Sponsored by the Shasta Farm Bureau, children attended presentations on beef and pork cuts, the food chain, saw a shepherd dog work with sheep, and learned about tree crops as well as other forms of agriculture.

The Farm City presentation gives children "a little better understanding of agriculture, something we do every day," said Ivar Amen, bureau president.

Think about how strawberries are grown and brought to market, said Tiffany Martinez, bureau manager.

"Most kids aren't aware of how much work goes into it," she said.

Not only for children, the event was also aimed to remind teachers of the importance of agriculture in the county.

"Once you educate a teacher, they can spread the knowledge much better than we can," said Shannon Wooten, a farm bureau director.

The bureau works as a membership organization of farmers, ranchers, agricultural businessmen, Amen said. Students in Future Farmers of America groups from West Valley, Anderson, and Foothill high schools volunteered at the event.