29 Years of Agriculture at Townsend Elementary
Author: Lisa Larson, Townsend Schools
Lisa Larson Townsend Schools It all began on a blustery February day about 30 years ago because OSU (Oklahoma State University) sent out a ”feeler letter” to a wet behind-the-ears teacher here in Townsend along with other school teachers in other areas across the United States.
The letter asked for interested schools and teachers to pilot an agriculturally based food and fiber curriculum. This pilot would be fully funded by the W.K. Kellogg Corporation. Lisa Larson was the wet behind-the-wear teacher. She just happened to be someone who grew up on a local farm and ranch and still very much believed in the agricultural industry. Lisa went to her principal at the time and asked if she would respond to this letter in the affirmative. Lisa was concerned with the growing gap between agriculture and our students. She felt this could definitely be an opportunity to enhance the curriculum for our students and grow their knowledge base. After meeting with two professors from OSU and a professor from Montana State University, it was decided that Townsend Elementary was a great fit and we would be a recipient of a $10,000 grant. The work would now begin for these teachers.
Though this grant has long since run out, the drive to share the world of agriculture with students is still running in full force. Even though the grant has run out, many local businesses and farmers and ranchers have continued to donate their hard-earned cash to keep this valuable project fully funded. This grant has led teachers to 29 years of trying to get good, accurate agricultural information to our K-5 students. National AG Week is celebrated in March, but the weather in Montana in March is less than ideal for a big, outdoor celebration here in Townsend. Many years ago the teachers made the switch for their celebration to the last week of May to take advantage of the nicer weather. The celebration has gone from a half day to the current full day for learning and celebrating agriculture.
Topics that have been shared over the years with our students have included things such as the lumber industry, dairy animals, alfalfa, grains, goats, the mining industry, the beef industry, making ice cream and making bread. We have discussed the varying opportunities for careers in agriculture, rodeo, farm equipment, and ATV Safety. One year we even had a surprise from the famed and recently retired PBR Funnyman, Flint Rasmussen.
This year our presenters have come from as far as Great Falls and as close as our local people, including our Broadwater FFA students, as well as the Three Forks FFA students. The 2024 celebration saw presentations from Vigilante Electric on electrical safety, FFA students covered subjects on swine, dairy, farm equipment, an airplane, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, cooking with the Harvest of the Month, and chickens. Lynn Reynolds gave up his time to discuss hunting and tracking. Broadwater Farm Bureau, again, shared the importance of ATV Safety. Tyler Noyes created a lesson on butter. Montana Farmers Union developed a hands-on lesson on solar-powered cars. RMS & CHS teamed up to do lessons on livestock feeds. Broadwater Extension presented information on gardening and seeds. Kasee Clark discussed the topic of branding and tagging our beef cattle. Amy and Mitch Currence presented on the topic of types of wood and woodworking. Austin Clark intrigued the students with a drone presentation. Colton Noyes wowed the students with information on alfalfa. Lauren Reiser, Makenzie Kimpton and Amy Winters surprised the student body with some barrel racing and pole bending. Those ladies had the biggest, loudest cheering section in the land.
This was the first year that we had a collaboration with the Broadwater FFA Students, under the direction of Jemma Loughrey and the Three Forks FFA Students, under the direction of Tyler Noyes. This was a fabulous opportunity for those FFA students to join forces in helping make our AG Day celebration a success. Three Forks has recently started its own AG Day Celebration and was excited to see the way things ran here in Townsend. There were many takeaway moments throughout the day. We look forward to working together again in the near future. We also would like to extend a huge “Thank You” to Mr. Noyes and his students. We couldn’t have done it without you!
The weather held out for our 29th year and much was learned by everyone. We eagerly look forward to continuing to share the message of agriculture with our students and staff in the coming years.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Lisa Larson, Townsend Schools
Image 1 Caption: No caption supplied.
Image 2 Caption: Kasee Clark & a Three Forks FFA student explaining the importance of branding and tagging cattle.
Photo Credits: Lisa Larson
Image 3 Caption: Colton Noyes teaching the 3rd graders about alfalfa and how it is used.
Photo Credits: Lisa Larson
Image 4 Caption: Aiden Kitto discussing how the Stinger is used in stacking hay bales.
Photo Credits: Lisa Larson
