Back to School

     School is finally back into full swing, something I have been dreading for a while. For the past five months I have been without school and just working on the farm. The only good thing about this time of year is I can now use the saying, “I have homework” to try to get out of the things I don’t want to do! “Really Dad, I swear this English paper is going to take me the whole way through harvest to get done!”

August is known as national back to school month. When August hits it’s time for all students to brush the dust off their backpack and gather up school supplies. This is just another reason to give a huge thanks to farmers because without them we would not be equipped with all of these supplies. Farmers not only supply us with food but they help supply us with tons of other things. 

     Think about the pencils and paper you use everyday. Those come from wood and lumber is an agricultural product. The crayons you use to draw are made mostly from soybeans. In art class the paint brushes used are made from pig or cattle hair bristles. Pig by-products are also used in the making of chalk and glue.

  You also can’t forget about all the new clothes you bought for school. Thank a farmer for your new pair of jeans, sweaters, and most t-shirts because they are made from the farmers growing cotton. Those new leather school shoes would also be a farm by-product as well. Last but not least farmers  help you and the teachers get to school. Soy biodiesel often powers our school buses. The ethanol from the farmers corn fuels cars that transport both students and teachers. 

     Agriculture is everywhere, even in your schools and backpack. Have a great year at school as I am truly excited to have started my last year of high school. Senior year will simply be the best!

 ~ Kesley Holdgrafer