Agricultural education is a key focus of St. Helena AG for Kids

St. Helena AG Day
Photo Credit: Nicholas Muse

Kids and agriculture play an important role in shaping the future of our food system. Teaching children about agriculture not only helps them understand where their food comes from but also instills in them a sense of responsibility towards the environment and the importance of sustainable farming practices. Nicholas Muse, Southern University Agricultural Center, Assistant Area Agent organized his first Ag event in Amite, Louisiana, The event was well attended and very successful. 

St. Helena Ag Day engage children in agricultural activities that was educational and  a enjoyable experience. It allows them to learn about the different stages of plant growth, the importance of soil health, and the impact of weather conditions on crops. Moreover, it teaches them valuable life skills such as patience, perseverance, and problem-solving.

One way to introduce kids to agriculture is through school gardens. These gardens provide a hands-on learning experience where children can plant, nurture, and harvest their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They learn about the various types of plants, the requirements of each plant, and the techniques involved in gardening. Additionally, children gain an understanding of the nutritional value of fresh produce and the benefits of consuming locally grown food.

Kids with livestock
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Another avenue for kids to explore agriculture is through educational farm visits. This summer Muse 3

Farm  in Greensburg, La., provide tours for  summer campers. These visits allow children to interact with farmers, observe farm animals, and experience farm life firsthand. They learned about the different types of farming and livestock farming. The hand on tour help them to  understand the processes involved in producing food.  Seeing the hard work and dedication of farmers, children develop a greater appreciation for the food on their plates. Some activities included drone flying and incorporating technology in farming. 

Furthermore, involving kids in community-supported agriculture programs can deepen their understanding of sustainable farming practices. These programs allow families to support local farmers by purchasing a share of the harvest. Children can participate in activities such as picking up produce, sorting vegetables, or even helping with farmers' markets. This involvement helps kids appreciate the efforts that go into producing food and fosters a connection with local agriculture.

In conclusion, St. Helena Ag Day and all the sponsors understand the importance of teaching kids how to embrace gardening and farming. One thing I want to point out is none of the children was entertained by their cellphones. They all were very engaged in all the activities of the day. Nicholas Muse and Zanetta Augustine, Assistant Agricultural Specialist for Southern University Cooperative Extension, Agriculture & Natural Resource Program made this event very informative and hands on for all who attended St. Helena AG Day.

Nicholas Muse
Southern University Agricultural Center, Assistant Area Agent
Photo Credit: Nicholas Muse Facebook page

L.S. Spears shares knowledge of history, civil rights, and farm life in St. Helena Parish

L.S. Spears
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Spears and his wife Mrs. Arizola Ernest . They both had so much wisdom and knowledge to share. I could have sat and talked with them for hours.  I didn't want to  overstay my welcome. They are now in their nineties and doing well. Since COVID prevented me from visiting their home, I often wondered how they were doing. During the past two weeks, I've been documenting syrup making at the Womack Mill in St. Helena. 

I met his nephew, Byron Parks. Byron needed to process four loads of sugarcane into syrup. In our conversation, Byron mentioned that Mr. Spears was his uncle's wife and that she was doing well. "There is one thing to keep in mind in rural communities: you should always establish who your family is. That's one of the most frequently asked questions." 

I didn't get to the mill the next day, so I contacted Byron by phone about some photographs he sent me. He told me that Mr. Spears was at Womack Mill. The thought of seeing him made me want to get into my car and drive to the mill. We both enjoyed hearing each other's voices when Byron put him on the phone. The following day, I planned to meet with him. Eddie Ponds was invited to join me on this trip for a few interviews for The Drum Newspaper. 

Mr. Spears at Womack Mill
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

 My eyes were delighted  to see Mr. Spears driving and getting around very well for a man who had just turned ninety-six. We noticed that he dressed as if he was going somewhere else other then the syrup mill the moment he stepped out of the truck. Very neat with his shoes matching his belt and you could smell his cologne. Eddie Ponds and I took out our cameras and started taking pictures and interviewing him. He was born in 1926 in St. Helena Parish to Carter Spears and Leona Rankins Spears.  According to the 1940 United States Federal Census, he had six siblings; Myrtis Spears, Hazel Spears, Reba Spears, Inez Spears, Arnell Spears, Fennel Spears,  and Carter Spears, Jr.  

His first words were that he was still bush hauling on his tractor around his house. Although Mr. Spear did other public work to support his family, he grew up on a farm. In addition to driving a truck, he also worked in construction. He talked about how hard it was back then in St. Helena Parish and the racism they encountered. "We used to sit around and sing gospel hymns in the evenings when people would come over to our house," said Mr. Spears. We had a good old time just talking and singing he said. Whenever the people were ready to go home, we would walk them half way home and talk. He laughed when he thought about them turning around and walking back with them. 

There were times when the old folks would pray so hard in the house that you thought God was just around the corner. In those days, times were hard, but they were good as well. He said things have changed now. During his season of making syrup, he would make two to three hundred cans. Our meat was kept in a smokehouse. There is no comparison between meat today and the meat we had in the past. 

The civil rights movement was one of the topics I asked him about. They protested for equal rights in schools, he said. As a civil rights leader in St. Helena, his mother-in-law Pearl and her sister Martha Thomas were very active. In fact, Andrew Young and other members of The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) attended Pearl's funeral. It was some hard time he said. 

Chicken Coop Made from Pallets

Growing up on the old family homestead in Tangipahoa Parish where we grew our own food and raised livestock. My grandmother had a chicken coop for her laying hens. My brothers and I would help her gather the fresh yard eggs. For two years I have been talking about building a chicken coop and now I'm finally getting a chicken coop built thanks to Wallace.

I went online and saw the chicken coops built out of pallets. So Wallace and I decided to build one out of pallets. For the past few weeks Wallace and I have been busy gathering the pallets, removing all the nails and pulling the wood apart. 

I called the local hardware store and asked them if I could have them. They told me to take all I wanted. We spent several weeks preparing the wood. Our plan was to use as much recycle material that we could fine. We did purchase the wire, screws, nails, latches, hinges and wood life cooper coat to treat the wood. 

We spent a lot of time on the internet looking at difference models. After we figured out the model we wanted to used and what would be the best way to build it we got started. Wallace wanted to build six nesting boxes for the laying hens. 

He measured the run for the hens, he thought the old girls sure have some room to run around and to hang out. He wanted to really make it easy for me to move about to clean the coop, he's making it where I can walk into the chicken coop and hose it off rather easy. The manure from the chicken will be used to fertilized the orange trees and garden. 

Wallace is very creative and I can see him building me a greenhouse out of pallets. There only problem, "he didn't want me to take photographs." But of course I had to document from start to finish. Beside it nice to see how it begin and the finish product. 

This summer my grandchildren will get to gather the fresh yard eggs right out the yard. I hope that we can the hens that lay the blue and green eggs. 

 We'll keep you posted as we move along.