The 4th and 5th Graders of Menard ISD attended a Conservation Field Day on Tuesday, September 10, 2019  at the Whitehead-Murchison Complex.

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The students arrived by bus about 8:45 a.m. and once on site, they were divided up into 5 groups to maneuver through six different stations:  

• Soils by Victoria Norrell-NRCS:  students discovered how much of the earth they were able to live on.

• Water by Tami Russell and Caroline Runge-Water Districts:  students observed how water moves through the ground we stand on and how easily it can be polluted.

• Pollinators by Gene Stalzer-Native American Seed:  this station allowed students to make seed balls using seeds of different colored flowers to attract certain pollinators.  Discussion was held on how to plant or distribute the seed balls to get the best results.  

• Rainfall Simulation by Grant Teplicek-NRCS:  students were shown how ground cover protects the soil from erosion as it captures more water for the soil to absorb.  Different range plants were shown that would attract pollinators.  Ground cover also affects how well a seed might germinate.

• Wildlife by Dr. Jake Landers:  students discovered an animal's tooth structure determined the kind of food it could eat.  It was pointed out that without pollination by wind or animals there would be no food.

• Poster Construction by Marcy Wheeler-Retired Teacher:  tips on how to construct an effective and competitive conservation poster were discussed and practiced.

A lunch of hot dogs was followed by a discussion of "The 4-H and You" by Lisa Brown, AgriLife Extension, and Mary Kniffen, 4-H advisor.

The afternoon program, given by Dr. Barron Rector, Texas A&M Professor, taught how man affects pollinators and the world around them.  This was followed by an activity to show how all of earth's systems are connected as well as how competition for food and food availability controls animal and plant populations in nature.

Students were accompanied to each station by their teachers and by the Menard County SWCD Directors. Buses were loaded at 3:30 p.m.

The students’ behavior during this event was a great compliment to their teachers and school as well as to their parents. The presenters of the program were very impressed and complimentary.

Way to Go, 4th & 5th Graders!!!