A new school year has begun and with it comes the opportunity to help educate your students and also yourselves as teachers about the diversity of New Hampshire's agriculture. In this issue I will highlight four different types of agricultural enterprises around the state. I do not mean to say that these farms are the only ones worth visiting. I only want to help you help your students to see how many different types of farms there are right here in New Hampshire. Even if the students can only visit a web site or become a pen pal with the farm they will all learn something.

Our first stop this fall is the Bo-Riggs Cattle Company found in Westmoreland. Their web site is www.bo-riggscattle.com. This is a Black Angus 3rd generation family farm. They are very school friendly and do have a Farm Pen Pal program.

How about visiting a buffalo farm? Found in Warner, the Yankee Farmer's Market is owned by Keira & Brian Farmer. Their web site is www.yankeefarmersmarket.com. Use their web site to help talk about health and nutrition, sustainability and diversity.

Local, fresh, wholesome, and family. All these words can be used to describe Winsome Farm Organics in Piermont. This family has been farming in one way or another for generations. Best of all I don't see that changing any time in the near future. Their web site is www.winsomefarmorganics.com.   As with most farms in New Hampshire diversity is the word to describe this farm. They are very visitor friendly and educational and fun to visit.

What would fall be without a visit to an apple orchard?   Consider Mack's Apples in Londonderry. Mack's claim to fame is that they are NH's oldest family-run apple farm. This farm was in operation BEFORE this country was an official country. Visit their web site at www.macksapples.com. You'll get history, economics, health and nutrition all in one stop.

I think this plant was made especially for kids. It's certainly designed so that it will grow just right. Of course, all plants are designed so that they will grow just right, but this one is something special.

You can't see anything special about the seed. It's just a little grain, but all seeds are like that when you look at them closely. The very middle of the seed has a part that will grow into the plant and a part that will grow into roots. It's got lots of food inside the seed to feed the little shoots. Wrapped around the future shoots and the seed food is a hard, protective cover, to ensure that the seed won't be damaged before it is planted. The seed is designed and protected well, as are most seeds.

The plant that grows from the seed is also well-designed and well-protected. The root system is not very big, so the plant isn't always anchored well. Extra roots grow from the base of the plant above the ground. They help prop up the plant.

Most plants related to this one have hollow stems, but this plant's stems are filled with soft, spongy tissue. The tissue is rich in sugars and starches, so it makes good food for animals.

Joints or nodes separate sections of the stem. Because they're tough and hard, they strengthen the stem. Because the nodes are placed closer together near the bottom of the plant, that part is stronger. The top of the plant is more flexible and sways easily in the breeze. This plant hardly ever snaps apart in a strong wind.

Long leaves clasp the stem tightly and help strengthen it. The veins in the leaves run lengthwise, making it flexible. A strong central rib makes the leaf tough, and wavy edges prevent tearing. The leaf is well-designed. It won't break apart easily. It will remain on the plant to make food for the plant.

So far the plant is just a plant, designed to do its work. Yet when it's growing, there's one characteristic which might tell you that it's ideal for kids. Most plants in this family grow seven to ten feet high. Only full-grown people can pick the fruit, and they have to stretch. But this plant grows only four to six feet tall, so kids can pick the fruit if they stretch.

Read more