Youth Development Highlights Harvest of the Month Program

Published: 2019
By Kaleena Miller

The Jefferson Valley Conservation District (JVCD) Outdoor Days and the Whitehall Library Summer Series provided perfect opportunities to highlight Montana’s Harvest of the Month (HOM) program. On a warm, sunny day in May, approximately two hundred 6th graders gathered in Cardwell, MT as part of the JVCD’s annual educational event. Extension staff teamed up with FoodCorps to teach students about chickpeas. Groups of fifteen gathered and began by reviewing some chickpea facts. Nutrition, chickpea production, and the connection to hummus were covered. The next activity highlighted hummus ingredients as each student took turns using a mortar and pestle to mash cooked chickpeas. To conclude the presentation, the students engaged in a taste test, trying a beet hummus and a carrot hummus. Some jumped at the opportunity to smell and taste the brightly colored dips, others were not quite sure what to make of the unfamiliar snack before them. Students were applauded for trying something new and our office received very positive feedback on the overall experience! July brought dairy as the Harvest of the Month item. Extension staff collaborated with the National Center for Appropriate Technology and engaged youth as part of the Whitehall Library Summer Series. The presentation started with a hands on lesson of dairy animal anatomy. Featuring local dairy goats and cows, kids pet and even fed the animals while hearing about how, when, and why they produce milk. One of the highlights was witnessing youth engage with the animals with varying levels of comfort. It was clear that a few kids were very familiar with animal handling. In contrast, other kids were quite hesitant to approach the animals at first. They were curious, but not immediately comfortable with the idea. After watching their peers hold forage to the animal’s mouths, they slowly inched closer, becoming more curious and more comfortable. By the end of the animal portion of the presentation, all of the kids were vying for some time to handle and feed the animals. For the next portion of the event, everyone gathered inside the library to learn about Montana’s dairy industry. Dairy facts were reviewed, pointing out that most, if not all Montana kids drink milk from Montana cows in school. Next the kids made their own butter, shaking a marble in a glass jar with some heavy cream. After their arms tired, they viewed the finished product, and it was pointed out how the butter separated from the milk. The presentation concluded with another taste test, handing out squares of bread with homemade butter. The kids were pleased with the finished product and continued to talk about the animals they had seen earlier. Introducing youth to Montana’s Harvest of the Month program through items such as chickpeas and dairy made for an engaging way to highlight local producers. Extension staff can’t wait to reach more youth highlighting cherries, beef, apples, and more!