Career Day with the USDA

Today we had Career Day at our school. We had different people come and speak to us about their jobs. They told us about what they did and what they had to know to do their job!

Rogerick Thompson with the USDA Resources Conservation Service came and spoke to the 2nd graders. Mr. Thompson in a District Conservationist. A District Conservationist is someone who works with farmers to conserve their natural resources. He taught us that there are 5 natural resources. Mr. Thompson taught us the acronym SWAPA to help us the natural resources. The S stood for soil, the W for water, the A for air, the P for plants, and the A for animals. This was very helpful for us to learn the 5 natural resources. Mr. Thompson taught us that conservation is the wise use of our natural resources.

Mr. Thompson focused on soil today. He told us that soil is the outer most layer of the Earth's crust. We learned that their are many "layers" of soil. Mr. Thompson told us that soil will erode if there are no trees or grass on the soil. Erosion is the wearing away of the Earth's surface. The soil must be protected and taken care of for it NOT to erode.

Rain Storm Simulation

Rain Storm Simulation

The end result of both Rain Storm Simulations.

Mr. Thompson let us help simulate a rain storm. There were two different rain storm simulations. One was with soil that was protected with grass and the other was soil. When the rain storn happened, the soil with grass was able to filter sediment and the soil without the grass was dirty.

RICE

Mr. Thompson asked us what he was holding. Most of us answered wheat. We learned it is RICE! Mr. Thompson told us that it takes lots of water to grow rice.

SOYBEANS

We have had a lot of rain over the past two months. Mr. Thompson informed us that the majority of the soybeans that were grown this year rotted because they stayed too wet for too long. A combine is a piece of machinery that picks soybeans. It has a header in the front of it. This header runs over the soybeans and strips everything but the bean.

COTTON

Mr. Thompson taught us that cotton is used for many different things. Cotton is used to make socks, sheets, clothes, and other things.

CORN

We learned there are three parts that make up corn. Corn made up of the cob, silk, and kernel. Pollenation must occur for the seed to be produced. A kernel is produced when dust is dropped on the silk.

PEANUTS

Mr. Thompson taught us that a peanut plant has a plant underground and leaves growing above the ground. He told us that a peanut plant is also known as a lagoon. A lagoon is a plant that produces its own Nitrogen.

Our class with Mr. Rogerick Thompson

Thank you so much to Mr. Rogerick Thompson, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and our school Career Day Committee! We learned so much and had a great time!