Ag in the Classroom

Thunder, lighting and pouring rain only enhanced the viewing of the CSI style video, Matters of Life and Death. During inclement weather, the video was shown to approximately 1,200 South Texas fourth graders at the 2009 Ag in the Classroom event.

The USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the San Patricio Soil and Water Conservation District #324 participated in the event held in Sinton, Texas. Each year San Patricio County Farm Bureau sponsors Ag in the Classroom. Participants in the event tailor each exhibit to peak the interest of the area’s fourth grade population toward an enthusiasm for agriculture.

Currently, “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil” is on exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. The Matters of Life and Death video plays a dramatic part in this exhibit. San Patricio SWCD acquired the loan of the video. This enabled local students to learn from imaginary detectives and crime scene investigators the mysteries of the micro- and macroscopic soil food web. During the video, each student sat in fascinated silence as a pumpkin’s murder was investigated by scientists who focused on the processes of decay.

NRCS Soil Conservationist, Sammy Guerra, captivated the students with soil scenarios that further explained soil and its functions. Keeping with the CSI video theme, he used soil and pumpkins for hands on experiences with composting and the process of decay.

Guerra stated that soil conservation is a must in preserving the soil food web. The need to understand the secrets of the soil and further soil education assures the future of agriculture productivity.

Using soil and pumpkins, fourth graders received hands on instruction from Soil Conservationist, Sammy Guerra.