BIQ-Uncaattr Farming, Saturday, May 20, 1995
FRYSTOWN (Berks Co.)
Increasing students’ awareness of
agriculture was one lesson taught
to 108 third grade students and
their teachers who participated in
the Tulpehocken Elementary
Agriculture Science Adventure re
cently.
A “Caretaker All” theme was
applied to the event, with students
divided into six groups that rotat
ed through caretaker sessions. The
event was hosted on the Mor-Dale
Dairy Farm, operated by Ralph
and Crystal Moyer, located near
Frystown, Berks County.
Students discovered that “Care
takers of Animals” might include
Staci Hytrek and Ralph Moyer.
Staci, a DVM, who recently com
pleted her master’s work in com
parative medicine, brought along
Tommy, the family retriever. Util
izing the dog she demonstrated
and spoke on the importance of
preventative health care.
Using a little “guillotine” type
nail trimmer, a dog’s nails can be
trimmed. But you must watch for
nerve and blood tissue.
“Ouch,” listeners responded to
that comment.
Why do dogs develop ear infec
tions?
Yeast and bacteria grow inside
the ear; therefore they must- be
cleaned once a week.
How does a dog develop a heart
worm problem?
No one could answer that ques
tion. But if they listened, they
were told that an egg-carrying
mosquito that bites the pet could
infect the dog.
Additionally, the listener dis
covered that it takes six months
before the infection gets to the
heart. But it is treatable «nd be
Brandi Light uses a microscope to observe critters that
live in the water.
Buzz Frances points out critters which live in the Water
during the sesslon*on Caretakers of Water.
ids
Third Graders
Trevor Fcssler offered his
thoughts on the medication, “My
dog has to take heart medicine.
She doesn’t like it though.”
While holding a guinea pig, Hy
tek asked, “Why does a young one
need its mom?”
To keep it warm and provide
nourishment were the correct an
swers provided by those eager to
cuddle the animal.
Ralph then took the floor and
suggested that his cows receive a
more balanced diet than most of
you. He compared a newborn
calf’s quart bottle to a human baby
bottle. “Wow,” most observers re
sponded.
Dairy cattle are also fed many
ensiled or pickled products, com
paring silage to pickles. A TMR or
total mixed ration is fed to the
cows at the Moyer farm. The
TMR provides all the vitamins,
mineral, protein and energy that
the animals need, the listeners
were told as they viewed a sample.
Feet (hoof) care is also import
ant to cows. Large animal trim
ming equipment was made avail
able to all participants to see.
If you were a member in the
group led by senior agriculture
student Amy Phillips, you met
Caretaker of Plants for the day
John Falter at the second session.
John explained to the kids -that
seeds have several basic needs in
cluding: moisture, warmth and air.
Soil must provide those basics for
the plant
Stephen .Cotton expressed that
best when he said, “Yum yum
supper for my seed.”
Each student had the opportuni
ty to plant a marigold seed in a
container of soil which was then
taken back to ;hool whr thi
/ /
* *'*
Learn To Be Caretakers
growth. Students also learned the van- Using string they prepared straight
Mangolds are easy to grow techniaues of gardening as rows, sowed seeds, or transplant-
. It;
care r of , pets kenbaCh ’ StaClHytrek * Lany u,r,ch - anti Der,ck Readier discuss taking
U,rich ' Derrlck Redlnger, and Heather
Moeff hold recycleable containers during the session on Caretaker of Resources.
or%ie^
>ather Haff participate In a bag race during the after-lunch activity.
** -Tf.,l .
V
V >
»
(Turn to Page Bit)