By Scout Nelson
Students from Immanuel Lutheran School in Lakefield, Minnesota, recently joined Farm Camp Minnesota for a memorable hands-on learning experience. The camp, a program of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC), allowed 5th–8th graders to explore how farms operate and how food is grown.
The visit included stops at two farms and a local equipment dealership. Students explored farm tools like sprayers, planters, and combines, while learning how these machines are operated using monitors and technology.
One of the hosts explained the size of an acre to the students, comparing it to a football field. This helped students understand the scale of modern farming. The experience highlighted just how much land it takes to grow crops and how much work is involved.
Farm Camp Minnesota made the trip possible through a special transportation grant that fully covered the cost of the 100-mile round trip. This grant is important for small schools with limited transportation funds.
The visit also supported the mission of MAITC, which has helped teachers bring agriculture into classrooms for over 35 years. Through classroom materials and curriculum support, students are taught how agriculture connects to subjects like math, science, and language arts.
One of the hosts shared, “The goal is to educate about agriculture, of course, which means showing where their food comes from. We also want them to know that these are family farms and not corporate farms... it really opens their eyes.”
Ann Marie Ward, executive director of the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, added, “Farm Camp Minnesota provides exposure and lessons for students to learn about the opportunities: there are vast career possibilities within agriculture.”
This educational day showed students that agriculture is not just about farming—it’s about science, business, and technology.
Photo Credit:university-of-minnesota
Categories: Minnesota, Education