Illinois Farm Bureau teaches ag to students

PRINCEVILLE (AP) — Hog farmer Michelle Abel and her piglet had a question for a group of fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders at Princeville Elementary School: Why do people raise pigs?

"For money," shouted one student.

"For bacon," shouted another.

A third chimed in, pointing at the piglet Abel had brought, with, "But don't tell the pig that."

Abel was at the school with the Peoria County Farm Bureau, which has been out in full force this school year in classrooms across the county. The goal is to replace agriculture education in the classroom.

"We don't really have that (agriculture education) anymore," said Jami Begole, education coordinator for the Farm Bureau. "But it's a big thing in Illinois."

They've visited more than 20 classrooms in March, focusing on pork all the way. Abel, who raises about 2,000 pigs a year on her family's Glasford farm, brings in a piglet to educate the kids as to where their food comes from.

"It's definitely important for them to know where their food is coming from," she said. "They need to know it doesn't just come from Walmart."

It's interesting, Abel said, to travel to different schools, some of which are based in an urban setting and some based in a rural one.

For instance, until recently, not a single child said they lived on a farm. In Princeville, about 10 did.

"The kids at some of the more inner-city schools have very little farm knowledge," Abel said.

So for them to hear, and see, where that food comes from can help their understanding.

A few kids in every class get a little sad when they realize the cute piglet they're petting is bound for the slaughterhouse. But in most classes, like the one in Princeville, the kids acknowledge it before Abel does.

"They always want to name them," she said. "But we try and explain that these aren't pets."

The kids also are taught that pigs also provide pig heart valves and a number of other things that benefit students.

Any fourth- through sixth-grade teacher in Peoria County who would like to receive materials on agriculture education can call Begole at 686-7070.