MOKANE, Mo. - South Callaway High School senior Michael Witt stood next to his horse, outside just behind the district's Early Childhood Learning Center building on Friday. A group of middle school students clung tightly to the thin fence separating them from Witt and his horse.
"What kind of horse do you think this is?" Witt asked the students. "What do you do in art class?"
"Paint," the group of students responded.
"So, what kind of horse is this?" Witt asked again. "A paint horse."
South Callaway FFA educated students in the district as part of their Supervised Agricultural Experience project. FFA members brought various farm animals to school last Friday and answered students' questions.
Levi Chew, South Callaway senior and president of South Callaway's FFA chapter, said he enjoyed the educational aspect of the activity.
"Sure, it's cool for them (the students) to pet the animals," Chew said. "But it really teaches the kids where their food comes from."
Before joining FFA, Chew had not seriously considered a career related to agriculture. After being involved with the chapter, he wants to study agriculture education in college to combine his interest in agriculture with his enjoyment for teaching.
"Being an influence on their (students) lives can change a lot of things," Chew said.
Periann Rimert, junior FFA member, said her family farms, however, not a lot of students in the district live on farms. The chapter's animal education event, she said, helps teach students about farm life, where their food comes from and how to approach animals.
Rimert brought her cow to show students. She said the cow is her responsibility. And when you take care of an animal, she said, you develop a bond with them.
"It's kind of like having a sibling, except it's a cow," Rimert said.
She has shown her cow at the state fair as well as the county fair.
FFA members brought chickens, a pig, dogs, a horse, a turkey, goats and other animals to school for their activity to teach younger students about the animals. Chapter members also shared information about FFA with students at the event.
"Agriculture is the world's largest industry. We have to keep those jobs going," Chew said.