Lauderdale County School District elementary students horsed around and pigged out Tuesday without fear of detention or even their name on the board. 

Teachers from West and Southeast Lauderdale elementary schools watched as their students petted a horse and gathered around a pig on display at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center.

Altogether, more than 700 students participated during the day in FARMtastic, an agriculture learning activity hosted by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The program continues with elementary schools in the Lauderdale County School District and homeschool students through Thursday.

Smiling students buzzed around the animals, unfazed by the science they learned, while also having a good time.

They milked a cow simulator, learned about sweet potatoes and the plethora of items produced with corn, and made overall stronger connections between farms and their dinner table, the clothes they wear and other parts of daily life. 

“The connection between consumerism and farms isn’t always made with kids today,” said Shani Hay, Lauderdale County Extension Agent, who led students on a scavenger hunt to identify crops and other things found in movie theaters, department stores and other places. 

Students gathered around exhibits that ranged from bees to cows to Miss Rodeo Mississippi Taylor McNair riding a one-eyed horse named Roo.

McNair, who has a degree from MSU in agribusiness, said she wanted students to learn about the importance of farming but also to learn other life lessons. 

She said her horse could do anything his two-eyed competitors  can. 

“No matter what you’re circumstances you can overcome and excel at whatever you set your mind to do,” she said. 

Students learned about conservation, environmental stewardship, ecology, wildlife, and science fields. Teachers and organizers said exposing students to such hands-on activities could help them find interest ways that a showing them photograph in a book cannot. 

“This is something they’ll remember from now on,” said Fannie Stewart, a second grade teacher at Southeast Elementary School. “To be able to touch and feel is a good experience.” 

As classmates swarmed McNair and Roo, two second graders in Stewart’s class took a moment to reflect on their learning experience. 

“I’m learning mostly everything you have in this world came from the farmers,” said Patricia Goodin, 8. “When you eat, it comes from the stuff they grew.” 

Jonnah Cutway, 9, said he appreciated knowing more about what his family brings home from the grocery store. 

“I’m learning vegetables come from farms,” he said. “It’s good to know what you’re eating and where it comes from.”