The Rural Voice, 2000-09, Page 73AgriTech
Helping children find agricultural info
By Janice Becker
It is September, harvest time and
children returning to the classroom.
With that inspiration, I went look-
ing for Internet sites which would
interest and inform youths when it
came to the subject of agriculture.
With just one address with which to
start, I soon found numerous sites
which include material for young
people.
Beginning with the Ontario
Cattlemen's Association, which
recently launched an updated website
at www.cattle.guelph.on.ca, there is
an abundance of material for stu-
dents, teachers and clubs.
Developed by OCA, Beef Info
Centre, Ontario Agri -Food
Education, Ontario Farm Animal
Council and many more organiza-
tions, the Beef Everywhere, Every
Day educational package provides
on-line material as well as hard
copies to be purchased by teachers.
The site is very well laid out, pro-
viding sections titled "What's for
Dinner", "The System", "Careers",
"Equipment", [Nutrition" and
"Resources". There is study informa-
tion and activities to reenforce that
which was read.
The introduction to the site has an
encyclopedia -like description, telling
of the breeds of cattle, dairy and beef
differences and health and nutritional
information for the animals.
As with many of the sites located,
OCA's Kids and Cattle is geared to
the pre- teen age group. Many use
concise yet informative factsheets
while incorporating colour and car-
toons to grab attention.
Though the suggested use is as a
teacher resource, Kids and Cattle
would be great for youngsters to
check out at home.
This was the strength of all the sites
perused. While the intent may be
educational, those under 12 will also
enjoy playing the games, reading the
stories and looking at the photos.
A search for other kid -friendly sites
resulted in numerous agricultural
organizations with appropriate mate-
rial. A quick survey indicated a good
site through OMAFRA at OMAFRA
Kids, www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/
kids/index.html. There were plenty of
games, quiiies and colouring pages.
The Ontario Corn Producers
Association, www.ontariocorn.org/
* classroo.html, suggests usages for
corn in art, science, social studies and
even gym class, geared to the ele-
mentary school age. Teachers can
contact the organization for materials.
A photo tour of an egg operation
can be viewed at www.eggsite.com/
farm.html.
The Ontario Farm Animal Council
is an excellent source for students and
teachers offering factsheets on specif-
ic topics through personal requests or
more generic data on topics such as
BSE, BST, food safety, animal by-
products, animal welfare and agricul-
ture and the environment.
While single copies of kits are free
to all Ontario teachers, additional
packages can be ordered.
Just for the fun, youngsters should
stop by Burger Town, burgertown.
kidscom.com/ and Kidz Korner,
www.mda.state.mi.us/kids/index.
html.
Kidz Korner also provides encyclo-
pedic material for younger children
which can be used for school pro-
jects.
Though many sites focus on ele-
mentary students; there is an excel-
lent site for the more senior student
whether secondary school or continu-
ing with a post secondary education
in agriculture.
The United Nations has developed
a World Agricultural Info Centre,
www.fao.org, which looks at the
more critical world issues such as
food distribution and environmental
impacts.
As well as topics such as eco-
nomics, fisheries, forestry, nutrition,
sustainable development and organic
agriculture, the site provides stats and
news items.
A rural youth section shows young
people how to become involved in
agricultural initiatives.
With the internet, youths can be
well-informed about all aspects of
agriculture.
Contact me at becker@wcl.on.ca
with feedback or column suggestions.
Janice Becker is a computer enthusi-
ast and journalist living near Walton,
ON.
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SEPTEMBER 2000 69