T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS –  St. Francis Catholic School fourth grader Korben McKibben gets an up-close look at some of the farm critters at Thursday’s Farm to Table event.

Marshalltown is surrounded by fertile corn and soybean fields, along with ample livestock farms, but many children do not interact much with one of the state’s biggest industries.

About 400 local fourth graders got an up-close look at livestock, crops, soils, farm tools and safety measures at the 19th Annual Farm to Table Day hosted by the Marshall County Farm Bureau at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds.

“Most of them don’t have a farm experience,” said event coordinator and Marshall County Farm Bureau volunteer Mary Jo Baitinger. “They are meeting local producers.”

Among the local farmers and safety professionals at Thursday’s event were:

• Beef cattle farmer Ethan Crow

• J.J. Westendorf of 4-H

• Pork producer Sara Duncan

• Sheep farmer Jim Mosher

• Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ben Veren.

The fourth graders came by bus to the fairgrounds from the six Marshalltown Community School District elementary buildings and St. Francis Catholic School. Once separated into groups, they took time to learn and explore at various exhibits.

Many of the students said they especially liked getting a closer look at livestock such as a calf, goats and pigs. They said they learned new things at the Farm to Table Day.

“I actually like them. I used to have a farm and we used to have animals – horses, bunnies, dogs, cats, cows and chicks,” said Woodbury Elementary student Katie Gomez. “I never knew that cows have four stomachs. I just fed them.”

Fellow Woodbury student Javier Mendoza also said he learned about cows’ four stomachs Thursday, and that they eat dry grass.

Abel Gomez of Fisher Elementary said he enjoyed learning about some of the foods farms produce, particularly the ones most common in Iowa – corn and soybeans.

“We grow lots of corn,” Abel said of Iowa.

He said he also enjoyed seeing the animals at Thursday’s exhibits.

“I’ve always wanted to ride one,” Abel said with a laugh.

The kids also checked out examples of old farm tools used decades ago, as well as some of the modern equipment and technology being used in modern times. Safety is paramount on any farm, so the students also learned about being careful around farm equipment.

Baitinger said the Farm to Table Day allows students to experience something new and gain useful knowledge.

“The kids enjoy it. It’s a time to get a field trip in, it has a local connection,” she said. “When they go back and do their social studies and science units, they can tie this in throughout the year.”

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Contact Adam Sodders at 641-753-6611

or asodders@timesrepublican.com