Kindersley's kindergarten kids head out to the farm
By Joan Janzen
KINDERSLEY—All the kindergarten kids at Westberry Elementary School enjoyed a field trip to the Fries family farms, located a few kilometres west of Kindersley. The first group of students headed out to the farm on Tuesday, April 15th. Teacher Shannon Dimitroff said they were all armed with sunscreen and water bottles, ready to enjoy the warm day.
The second group of students wasn't quite as fortunate. They arrived at the Fries farm on Wednesday wearing winter coats, gloves, and hats, bracing themselves against the cool, windy weather. However, both groups completely enjoyed their time at the farm.
The kindergarten kids from Westberry Elementary School enjoyed a field trip to the Fries farms southwest of Kindersley on April 15th and 16th. April 15th was a warm, sunny day; however the following day kids were wearing winter coats and gloves. PHOTOS BY JOAN JANZEN, click for larger images
Melody Fries showed the kids different kinds of grain, which they were happy to check out with their little fingers. They all plugged their ears as she turned on the small flour mill and showed them how flour is made. Even though they all got to stick their hands in the flour, Melody said there are always a few kids who aren't convinced and insist on believing food comes from a grocery store and not from a farm.
In another shop, they learned how butter is made. They all took turns shaking the container, pausing to look at the different stages, from whipped cream to butter and buttermilk.
When asked if they'd like to taste the butter, one student asked if he could have peanut butter. After some convincing, he agreed to try a cracker and butter and then a second one afterward.
The chicks nestled in a warm incubator were a popular attraction. Then they headed to the chicken coop where the laying hens squawked loudly as the kids checked for eggs.
A short bus ride over to Bobby Fries's farm home was where the kids got to check out some huge farm equipment. They were told both the combine and air sprayer were five years old, just like all the kids. Inside the cab of the green combine, there was a fridge and a cool horn that the kids got to try out.
Mrs. Dimitroff expressed appreciation to the Fries family for taking time to teach the kids that a lot of stuff they have in their kitchens at home is grown on the farm.