Farming is a complex profession that relies on a team of experts to successfully manage a farm business. This teacher tour gave educators the opportunity to tour and explore different teams that a farmer relies on to do their job well. From financing, a farm tour, equipment selection, ethanol production, and time for connection at a local winery. Tour attendees walked away from this day with a deeper understanding of what it takes to get a crop from farm to the commodity market. In addition to a deeper personal understanding of Minnesota agriculture, educators were equipped with resources and knowledge to bring back to students in the fall.
A Day in the Life of a Farmer Tour Stops
Guentzel Family Farms
The Guentzels’ multi-generational family farm welcomed us to their farm and taught educators how their family has embraced technology to continue to improve their farm. While touring Guentzel Family Farms, they provided a deeper understanding of corn and soybean production and the innovative practices farmers use to promote sustainability.
Arnolds Inc.
Arnolds is an authorized Case IH equipment dealership with seven Minnesota locations. Arnolds serves not only the agricultural community, but also the construction and consumer markets as well. At Arnolds attendees learned about the latest technologies in farm equipment, career skills students need to thrive in the agricultural industry, and had the opportunity for a test drive.
Guardian Energy
Have you ever wondered where all of the corn that grows expansively across southern Minnesota goes when it is harvested? At Guardian Energy educators learned about ethanol production (a biofuel) and why farmers rely on the local renewable energy market. At this tour stop attendees were geared with hard hats for a personalized tour through the facility!
Indian Island Winery
Locally owned and operated by the Winters Family, the teacher tour was wrapped up learning about the rich history of the land that Indian Island Winery is established on. Indian Island produces their own wine with grapes they grow on their farm, in addition to grapes grown by other Minnesota producers. In our time at Indian Island, educators had a brief tour followed by time to network and relax over a refreshing beverage to end our time together.
The entire day was wonderful! It was so fulfilling to see the educators come together and build relationships with each other as the day progressed. There was no lack of laughter, smiles, and joking!”
Emily Ponwith, Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Resource Specialist
Curriculum Connections
Throughout the day, educators made connections on how lessons learned at each of the tour stops could be taught in the classroom. Our Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Program has lots of free standards-based, ag-themed resources for educators. If searching for something that was not connected to this teacher tour, check out the Curriculum Matrix, our searchable database of lessons and companion resources.