Farm Day at the stockyard: Up-close look at agriculture

RUSSELLVILLE — More than 250 third graders from schools across Franklin County learned about livestock, natural resources and food production during the fourth annual Farm Day at the North Alabama Stockyard.

Students from Belgreen, East Franklin, Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Tharptown and Vina moved through nearly 20 stations.

Katernia Cole Coffey, county Extension coordi- nator, said the goal is to help students understand how agriculture shapes daily life.

“This event helps students see how agriculture supports communities, the economy and the environment,” Cole Coffey said. “They learn about the work farmers do and the careers that support agriculture, conservation and food science.”

Michael Pounders teaches students about low stress livestock handling, including how to use an animal’s flight zone, point of balance and the tools handlers use to sort cattle.
CONTRIBUTED/CALEB BEASON

Students learned about tractor safety, transportation, wildfire prevention, horticulture, pollination, soils, grains, and freshwater fish. Animal stations included cattle, goats, a donkey, a pig, a horse and chickens.