Ontario Grain Farmer February 2021

Good in Every Grain 34 www.GoodinEveryGrain.ca WHAT STUDENTS WANTED TO KNOW FROM #YOURFARMERS In November, we hosted our first Live Q&As with Ontario grain farmers for teachers and students across Ontario. Students in Grades 3 - 6 were able to virtually visit a grain farm and meet a grain farmer to learn more about Ontario grains and have their grain farming questions answered. Students asked many questions including what equipment is used on a farm and where grains go after harvest. Students were very curious and wanted to understand how Ontario grain farmers are just like them and have favourite foods and hobbies outside of the farm. Classes also wanted to know about certain jobs on the farm, what our farmers, favourite jobs are, and how they make their money on a farm. Going into winter, our farmers were also asked what happens to Ontario grains in the winter and what happens to crops that are in the field if there is a snowstorm. There were a couple of interesting questions that came up during our Q&As. One student wanted to know where our farmers slept at night, and if they slept in their combines (not normally was the answer!). These four Live Q&As were very insightful to understand that Ontario students are filled with questions for Ontario’s grain farmers and really want to understand more about the food grown here in the province, how farmers are growing grains, and where these grains will end up in food products at the grocery store. More than 30 classes participated (about 600 students) during our live streams to ask questions from four Ontario grain farmers from across the province. A teacher told us that, “It is important for students to connect their food with the person who produces it,” and that they are interested in participating in more show and tell style presentations with real farmers. This was great feedback for the Good in Every Grain team to use moving forward with future projects with Ontario educators.