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Last Thursday afternoon a group of first-graders from Bangor Elementary School got a rare chance to find out where their food really comes from.

As part of the Future Farmers of America’s Food for America program, the energetic youngsters made a field trip to the Erv and Barb Nuttleman farm on Highway DE, then followed that up with a stop at Hansen’s IGA before returning to school.

Their escorts for the day were Bangor High School FFA members. According to Bob Ickler, BHS agriculture instructor, it’s one of the activities the high school kids enjoy the most. “One of the first things out of their mouths in the fall is ‘Are we going to do the Food for America program again this year?’” he said.

Helping ride herd on a bunch of first-graders sometimes takes some adjustments, though. “One thing that always surprises the high school kids is how much energy the first-graders have. They aren’t used to that and it takes them a little while to get used to it,” Ickler said.

Asked whether seeing a real farm is of any benefit to the youngsters, first-grade teacher Linda Arlt was positive it did. “It really does help them,” she said. “We just finished a three-week unit on farms. They had to place fences and buildings and ‘buy’ cows, yet leave enough room for crops. After they come out here (to the farm), it all kind of fits together.”

Ickler agreed. “This kind of helps them connect the dots. It promotes awareness and shows kids where their food comes from,” he said.

“I’d bet that 90 percent of these kids have never been on a farm,” added Arlt.

The biggest attractions for the first graders seemed to be petting a gentle cow named Pearl, touching baby piglets, marveling at the size of a big boar hog and, of course, climbing into the cab of a big tractor.

Brandon Freit left little doubt about what made the biggest impression on him. “I liked the tractor the best,” he said.

From the smile on Madison Brownell’s face it was apparent that she enjoyed the view from the tractor cab, too, but it wasn’t the highlight as far as she was concerned. “I liked the animals — the piglets were my favorite,” Madison said.

After treats at the farm, the FFA members helped get all the first graders on the bus for the trip back into Bangor.

Tasha Everson, a senior and FFA member, said she thinks the visit was meaningful for the youngsters. “It’s a great opportunity for these kids to learn farming and agricultural business,” she said. “They get to see where their food comes from and how it looks in the end. That’s an important concept.”