- By Dan Veaner
- Around Town
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| Bus loads of Second Graders took a field trip last Wednesday (9/21) and Thursday (9/22) -- to a real field! They were treated to a visit at Moore's Tree Farm on Auburn Road in Lansing. What started out as a part time avocation for the Dick and Kay Moore and their family has turned into a full time endeavor with 75 acres of evergreens that are sold as Christmas trees as well as to landscapers and homeowners. We followed Christine Rebera's class around on Thursday as they were shown around the farm and learned about the environment and how trees are grown. There were three stations so each of three classes could be at a station at a time. |  Disk and Kay Moore Dick and Kay Moore |
Ms. Rebera's (right) class on a wagon ride with Mr. longhouse explaining
First up for Ms. Rebera's class was a wagon ride. Howard Longhouse told the class that a tree grows about a foot a year, so it takes six years to grow a Christmas tree as tall as he is. The class saw a family of wild turkeys waddling away, and the wagon stopped so the children could see a neighbor's farm animals. Mr. Longhouse explained the difference between the different kinds of trees, and showed the kids a tree that had it's middle branches eaten out by deer. "We can cut off the top and make a nice table top Christmas Tree out of it," he said.
A spruce feels prickly
At the next station Carolyn Longhouse explained how farming fits into the world by cutting up an apple. First she cut it in fourths, telling the class that 3/4 of the Earth is water. She then cut the fourth in half, illustrating the 1/8 is land where people cannot live. She sliced the remaining eight into three pieces, telling the kids that only 1/32nd of the Earth is "Farmable Land." Then she sliced the peel off of the remaining piece to illustrate how much topsoil is available for farmer to grow crops in.
Mrs. Longhouse slices up "the Earth"
Two more treats awaited the kids at this station. Bob "The Letter Man" Chase wrote each child's name in calligraphy on a certificate to be hung up in their classroom to commemorate the trip. And apple juice and popcorn were enthusiastically devoured before the class went on to the third station.
Ms. Rebera leads the class to the third station
When they got there Dick Moore and Tom Kirby were waiting to show the class how trees are planted. Mr. Moore demonstrated a hole driller, which only recently replaced ten yellow handled shovels the Moores previously used to plant trees. Next Mr. Kirby demonstrated different tools used to shear trees, to make them into a pleasing shape.
Planting a tree
Trimming a big tree
This demonstration ended with Mr. Kirby showing the class how to make a bird feeder with a pine cone, string, peanut butter and bird seed. When they left each child got a pine cone to make a feeder at home.
Part of the tree farm
With room for 1000 trees per acre, the Moore farm has a capacity of 75,000 trees. Dick Moore explained how trees make breathable air, and use carbon dioxide people breath out.
Pine cone bird feeder
Each presenter had a wonderful way with the children, explaining clearly without talking down to the kids. The clearly enjoyed having the second graders as their guests and knew just how to show them a good time. All the kids were engages, touching trees, asking questions and having a grand time eating popcorn.
The staff poses with Ms. Rebera's class
When the tour was finished kids lined up to answer questions about their visit and see how much they remembered. Special question boards were set up. When you pressed the button for the right answer a horn sounded and a light bulb lit up. Each class posed for a group picture with the Moores and their staff before saying thank you and boarding the bus to go back to school.
Getting the right answers
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