The Farm

This morning, I headed out with Max's class to a local farm, just north of Oldenburg. This farm is owned by the grandparents of a girl in Calvin's class. But, since their daughter was a 4th grader, they have opened their farm to all of the 4th grade classes in the area to give them demonstrations and to teach them about old time farming. It was a gorgeous day and a very organized and informational trip. Denis Schrank (how strange is it that this 66 year old man had almost the same name as Josh's dad???) had all sorts of stations set up and manned by at least 10 of his elderly neighbors and their wives to give the kids some hands-on demonstrations. We saw a steam engine power a sawmill and cut some logs, some raw milk separated into milk and cream, a broom being made, some woodworking done by an old scroll saw, some rope being made, and some guys create a corn shock. The kids and parents then got to participate in making apple cider, making butter, washing clothes with washer board and a wringer, cut a cedar log with a cross-cut saw, corn shelling and grinding, and taking a ride around the little lake in a truck from 1918. Max even got to "play" a saw! Super fun time and PERFECT weather!