Ag Day a treat for students

By Ali Bronsdon / Leader Staff

IRVINE FLATS — More than 200 fourth grade students from Polson, Ronan, Dayton and Valley View schools made the bumpy bus ride down gravel roads leading deep into the hills of Irvine Flats Wednesday and Thursday for the 16th Annual Agriculture Days at Mac Binger's ranch.

Ag Days, a long-time Lake County tradition, is an initiative to educate students on agriculture, farming management and conservation efforts, according to Montana State University Lake County extension agent Jack Stivers.

Students visited twelve different stations scattered around the ranch and inside the equine arena before enjoying a hamburger lunch on the lawn.

Outside, they watched in awe as cowboys roped and wrestled calves for branding and vaccinations. Inside, they learned the different methods ranchers use to mark their cattle from Carrie Clairmont with the Western Montana Cattlewomen. Some students cringed at the process, but by the end of the day, they all understood why it was important.

Binger explained how his helicopter is used to spray unwanted weeds and protect natural resources. Then, the students traveled inside to learn about a handful of native plants and weeds from Renee Kittle, a representative of the Tribal Extension Office.

Horses were a big part of the Ag Day experience. Trainer Mark Vrooman captivated audiences with his horse, Brother.

"I never tell the horse to do anything I wouldn't do," said Vrooman, as he gracefully bowed and backed away in unison with Brother. Vrooman demonstrated the proper technique to feeding a horse. "Keep your palm flat. If you hold your fingers up for him to grab, he may just think it's an extra fat carrot," he said. "I don't feed my horses candy. I never feed them anything that isn't natural."

A seven-and-a-half day old red roan colt was the center of attention. Joyce Norman from Chief Cliff Quarter Horses and Jane Clapp, owner of Heart of Sky Ranch in Irvine Flats, gave students the opportunity to give the foal its calling name. After a quick lecture about the many diverse quarter horse colors and markings, like "stockings" versus "socks" on its lower legs and "stars" and "diamonds" between its eyes, each class filled out a ballot with its name of choice. Mary Davis' class from Linderman Elementary won the contest with their submission of "Jester."

"He is just full of himself and the kids picked up on that," said Norman, who witnessed the foal's impressive acrobatics many times on Thursday.

Three months of collaboration between the Ronan and Polson Chambers of Commerce, Lake County Conservation District and the Western Montana Stockgrowers Association as well as numerous individual contributions made the event possible.

"It's a monumental effort and a lot of people are involved year after year," said Chris Malgren with Lake County Conservation District. "The kids really enjoy it and they remember it."