Students get a taste of farm life at 12th annual Ag Day

IRVINE FLATS — Whether or not Lake County students will be inspired to go into ranching for a living after the 12th annual Agriculture Day is unknown, but one thing is certain, it's an experience none of them will forget.

"We've had young adults come back and say this was one of the greatest experiences of their lives," said Mary Vermedahl who helps operate Vermedahl Ranch, all sprawling 7,000 acres of it, with her husband Walt. "They'll remember this forever."

Every year Lake County fourth graders get a taste of ranch life when they arrive by the bus loads, deep in the valley, and spend a day with the ranchers and farmers who are only as prosperous as the land allows them to be. Some of the students were already familiar with the rigors of ranching, while others have never been within 10 feet of a cow.

"We like to think we're rural," said Jack Meuli, a longtime rancher in Proctor. "But a lot of these kids have no real ranching experience."

There is no lack of experience to be found in the Meuli family. They've been at it for 106 years, and they'll continue to do so with Jack's son carrying on the tradition. As for his grandchildren "I don't know how much they'll carry it on, but they're cowboying now anyway."

Meuli hasn't missed a year of Agriculture Day. "The kids love it. But they love anything that gets them out of school for a day," he laughed.

The program is put on as a cooperative effort between Lake County Conservation and the Western Montana Stockgrowers Association.

"We think it is important for kids to know about all aspects of agriculture," said Sigurd Jensen who operates a ranch in Elmo. "It helps them appreciate what goes into it and what's involved. I don't know if many of them realize how much hard work goes into it."

If they didn't before, they do now. Students rotated from station to station, learning the ins and outs of agriculture from milking a cow to identifying horse breeds. Joyce Norman, affiliated with Chief Cliff Quarter Horses, explained to students the difference between various breeds. She also allowed students to name her new mare.

"Keep this in mind as you're coming up with names. Her father's name is Freckles Can-Do and her mother's name is Smokin' Katina," she instructed. The name they came up with — Katina Can-Do.

Students seemed to gravitate toward any exhibit that offered hands-on demonstrations. Jeff Nelson of Nelson Dairy Service let students stick their thumbs in the electronic suction device that draws milk from cows. "Weird" was the common adjective used to describe how it felt.

"It feels like a baby calf biting off your thumb," said Valley View student Trevar McAllister.

At another station, Anna Lannevik instructed students in the art of weaving. Using a loom, she let students thread the yarn through the device and watch as the intersecting strands transform into patterned textiles.

"They really enjoy hands-on things," she said. "They like to see things come of their labor."

This will be the Vermedahls last year hosting the event. Walt is selling the ranch.

"I enjoy the kids," he said while taking a break from roping calves. "They get a chance to see what ranch life is all about."

He explained that it is a lot of work organizing the event year after year but "It's worth the effort."

Potential buyer Mac Binger hopes to continue the program when the ranch is in his possession.

"It's good program. I definitely hope to keep this going," he said.