Crawford County, PA Farm Bureau

03/22/2026

11/06/2024

It’s late- but wanted to share. Today I was with the Mobile Ag Lab at Central Columbia elementary school. I have been coming here for several years. Second grade visited today. They could tell me what experiment they had done last year and what ag means- agriculture or farming! So proud of them.
This morning started out with third grade visiting. We talked about fungi and wondered if mushrooms were a plant. With that question we posed, we brainstormed characteristics of a plant and mushrooms- listing several differences. We measured sugar and yeast in a test tube and added warm water, shook the test tube and put a balloon on it. We did some paperwork and then looked at the balloon- it was filling up. We labeled the mushroom parts, observed again and the balloon was standing up! How cool!
First grade visited the lab and we read the story, “Tops and Bottoms “. Then we made necklaces, by adding soil moist to a bag, added water and some seeds. We were like the rabbit- planting the seeds, watering them and then putting the necklace under our shirt. The kids promised me they were drawing pictures of their observations- I think the seeds might sprout.
Second grade visited and we talked about popcorn. We learned how popcorn grows, there are different kinds of corn, and what they are used for. We put a cob with corn in a bag, put it in the microwave- it started popping! Then we looked at different items and hypothesized if the item’s would sink or float. Had some discoveries and found out that things that had holes in them floated because the holes were filled with air!
Special thanks to all my helpers today. I had some greeat helpers! Thanks to everyone who! Kristie Good visited today and tomorrow she will be bringing some FFA students to help out! Same experiment all day tomorrow- we will have fun talking about FUNGI.

11/05/2024

Nice day at Central Columbia elementary school Monday. Really nice to walk in and being met in the parking lot and greeted by name! Thanks Diane! I was surprised when I went to open the lab and my key didn’t work. Got the spare key- and discovered a whole new lab! Really a nice lab. With posters showing different farms in Pennsylvania.

We had a neat class first in the morning with first grade, We talked about farming and plants. Then we read a story called “Tops and Bottoms”. The story is about a lazy bear and an enterprising rabbit- rabbit offering to farm bears land and offered him half of crops- tops or bottoms. Rabbit planted carrots, radishes and turnips- bear choose tops and rabbit took home goodies and bear got little. Three time rabbit outfoxed bear until bear became a farmer and planted own crops!
A new experiment for the year was kindergarten learning about soil. They looked at rocks and discovered through erosion and weathering, rocks become smaller pieces and begin to make dirt- adding organic material dirt becomes soil to support growing crops and food.
Students were then given a container of soil, a screen and were able to filter soil to discover what was in the soil. Worms, lady bugs, pine cones, pine needles etc. Kinda messy- but fun. Kids kinda became archeologists along with farmers to determine if they had healthy soil. A nice surprise during this lesson- an old friend of mine popped into the lab. Kristie Good- an FFA advisor visited. Her FFA project had been butterflies- her family now runs a fun business Folk's Butterfly Farm. Kristy stayed for a while with promises to bring some FFA students later.
Second grade came out to visit and we talked about snacks- specifically POPCORN. We read a book telling how popcorn was grown and different kinds of corn. Then, my helpers put an ear of popcorn into the microwave and waited. We heard popping sounds. When we took the bag out- it was full of popcorn.
Then we looked at different items and made a hypothesis on whether things would sink or float. Popcorn kernels sink but popped popcorn will float. We talked about different reasons for it floated. I have more classes today!
Check back for more fun things today!

11/04/2024

Good evening everyone. Kinda late for the day but——
Last week was very busy for us. We crowned a new PA Honey Queen after a two day meeting in Stste College. Tuesday we traveled to Pittsburgh to say a final goodbye to an aunt and visited with family, and worked with honey extraction and bottling the rest. Sunday, Charlie and I got up- a little early because of the time change, went to church, ate at Port Pymatuning, counted fire trucks as they flew through town (fire at end of the road). I packed my suitcase and the car and headed off to Columbia County. I will be teaching at Central Columbia elementary school. I have been traveling to this school for several years. Driving on I80 for three hours, traffic stopped- waited while five fire trucks flew past, several police, a couple ambulances. A minivan was in the median with a scrunched up rear end. Hopefully everyone involved was okay.
Finally got to the hotel about 6:00, stopped for something to eat, and crashed.
School starts tomorrow at 8:00. More details tomorrow.

10/28/2024

Saturday evening at State College- the PSBA held their annual meeting. At that time we interviewed candidates for the Pennsylvania Honey Queen Program. I would love to congratulate Olivia Kaltenbach on being crowned the PSBA 2025 Honey Queen. Anticipating another great year. Any questions or invitations please keep us in mind. She lives in New Castle, Pennsylvania but is currently attending Penn State University in State College majoring in Animal Sciences.

09/24/2024

Well- Monday I taught in the Mobile Ag Lab at Lock Haven Catholic Elementary school. Yesterday I arrived at the school at 7:00 and set up for kindergarten . Students came to visit me and we talked about trees. We discovered how important trees are and made a list of different reasons trees are important. Trees give us oxygen, heat by burning wood, build homes and furniture, grow foods and many other things. We read a short story about tree farmers and how they care for trees. Then we made a bracelet using a green pipe cleaner and put different beads on that meant different things.

First grade visited next. They asked where fruit comes from. We talked about blossoms on plants. The girl flower produces the fruit thanks to the male flower making pollen and bees deliver the pollen to the flowers. We named the flower parts and built a flower.

Second grade visited the lab. We compared Crayola crayons and Prang crayons. We learned that Crayola crayons are made of wax and Prang crayons are made of soybeans. The two colour completely different.
Busy Monday!
Great help for the day and great classes!

09/21/2024

Fact about agriculture in Pennsylvania!

It's Farm Fact Friday! 🚜 Did you know that Pennsylvania is the top producer of mushrooms in the U.S.? 🍄 With more than 60% of the country's mushroom supply coming from our state, PA truly is the "Mushroom Capital of the World!" Next time you're enjoying a delicious mushroom dish, remember that it's likely from a local PA farm! Support our farmers and enjoy the taste of fresh, locally grown produce. 🍽️💚

09/18/2024

Please drive safely.