California Area students get lessons in farming

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, elementary students in the California Area School District will learn about farming, eating healthy and raising their own chicks.

The district received $9,814.94 last week for curriculum and experiential learning as part of the state’s Farm to School Grant Program, which provides schools with funding to improve access to healthy, local foods and increase agricultural education opportunities for students K-4.

“We applied for the grant right before Easter,” Superintendent Dr. Laura Jacob said. “We knew if we got it, it would be a quick turn-around.”

Jacob said the money will be used for the students’ embryology project, which has them fertilize and hatch their eggs as well as raise the chicks themselves.

Supplies for the project were provided through a partnership with New Salem-based Redrange Farm. Jacob said the farm has provided fertilized eggs, lessons for students and support for teachers. The school district purchased incubators and other equipment.

Jacob said Redrange Farm has also agreed to take back the chicks should students not wish to keep them at home.

This is the first year the district has tried the embryology project.

Jacob said one phase of the project known as candling was a hit with students. 

Named for a technique of holding an egg to a candle to see the embryo inside, students used a high-powered flashlight to witness the egg’s fertilization.

“The kids would cheer if the egg was fertilized,” Jacob said. “You can see the chick moving on day 10. We’re on day 14, and they hatch on day 21. The kids really take to it.”

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