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AG Day Road Trip Takes SAGES Learners To Their Food!
National Agriculture Day was on Tuesday, March 20. To better understand the day’s theme, “Agriculture: Food for Life,” learners in kindergarten through 6th grade from the School for Agricultural and Environmental Studies (SAGES) took a “Road Trip” to their food!
“It was an action-packed day of learning,” exclaimed Sheri Hicken, SAGES Agriculture Teacher. “From 8:10 am when we loaded two school busses until the 3:00 o’clock dismissal bell, our learners were engaged in an array of ag-related tours, talks, and activities that expanded their knowledge of agriculture and our food — from farm to table.” Learning stops for grades 4-6 included: Nelson & Pade, Inc. (Aquaponics) and Marquette County Barn Quilt Trail (Quilt #11) in Montello, as well as Rhodes Bake-n-Serv and Sassy Cow Creamery in Columbus. Stops for learners in kindergarten to third grade were closer to home and included: Alsum Farms & Produce in Friesland, Hoekstra’s Market & Greenhouses in Fox Lake, plus two learning stations back at school — “From Egg to Chicken” by David Laatsch and a visit to SAGES’ “school” Holstein heifer, Nellie from D&T Dairy Farm. Both groups also had a special addition to their day with grades 4-6 having Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch join their Sassy Cow Creamery barn tour and K-3 getting the chance to explore the “Wisconsin Spudmobile” while at Alsum Farms & Produce.
Conducting a day dedicated to agriculture isn’t new for SAGES. This is their sixth Ag Day since opening the school’s doors in 2012. However, this year’s Ag Day had a different twist. Rather than bringing local agricultural businesses/experts to SAGES, they took their learners to the businesses. As a result, learners and teachers toured “behind-the-scenes” gaining a greater appreciation and understanding of the different aspects of agriculture by viewing it in action. “It was neat to watch as students made connections back to their agriculture inventions research/writing projects,” shared Beth Plier, SAGES Language Arts Teacher/Reading Specialist. “We learned so many things about agriculture and our food you never think about.”
The School for Agricultural and Environmental Studies (SAGES), Waupun Area School District’s 4K-6 public charter school, is located in Fox Lake, Wisconsin. The 2017-18 school year marks a 6-year milestone for this unique school with a project-based, agricultural and environmental science focus. In addition, SAGES was recently named a Wisconsin Title I School of Recognition for the 2016-17 academic year, plus earned a 5-star “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” school report card rating from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for 2016-17. SAGES is enrolling now through April 30, 2018 for grades 4K-6. Learn more at www.waupun.k12.wi.us/sages.