Albany, NY – “When the children can’t get to the farm, we’ll bring the farm to them!,” exclaimed the Assemblywoman. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Agricultural Advocate Ben Simons and Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol, as well as the flexibility of Denti Elementary’s educators and administrators, today’s planned field trip to Buttenschon and Scorintino Farms, due to inclement weather, was moooved to Denti Elementary School in Rome, where the Assemblywoman and her partners teamed-up to bring the agricultural experience directly to the classroom in recognition of Dairy Month.

The highlight of the morning was udder-ly the star of the show, a one-week-old beef calf who made quite the impression on the Denti students. Each class had the opportunity to meet the calf up close, ask Agricultural Advocate Ben Simons, affectionately known as ‘Farmer Ben’, their most pressing questions about farm life, and learn firsthand about how and where their food comes from. Continuing the fun, the Denti students will soon be holding a naming competition for their new four-legged friend.

Beyond the calving around, educators rotated students through a series of interactive education stations, each dedicated to one of the four agricultural seasons, giving students a well-rounded look at the rhythms of plant and farm life throughout the year. Students also got their hands dirty, in the best way, with sunflower planting, and settled in for book readings that sparked further curiosity and brought the day’s agricultural themes to life.

“The purpose of today was about introducing our children to the agriculture that surrounds us here in Oneida County, and to have the children walk away with a real connection to where their food comes from, and an appreciation for our local farmers who make it possible,” said the Assemblywoman. “I am so grateful for, and extend sincere gratitude to Farmer Ben Simons, Sheriff Maciol, and everyone at Denti Elementary who made this morning possible. The enthusiasm the children exhibited today gives me so much hope for the future, and I am happy the connections we made today may help to inspire the next generation to get involved.” ~Assemblywoman Buttenschon

“I would like to thank Sheriff Maciol, Farmer Ben, and Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s office for coordinating bringing the farm to our school. Our children are greatly appreciative to experience farm life.” ~ Jerrad Buttenschon, Kindergarten Teacher at Denti Elementary

“Most young people have no idea where their food comes from, so it is truly so enjoyable to work with the young children and show them where the food we all enjoy to eat truly comes from, whether it's beef, milk, cheese, etc, it’s all a combination of mother earth and the sun. And it’s an honor to come here to educate the children, because as time goes on, the distance between the farm family and the consumer is getting to be five generations away now from where the food truly comes from, so it is so important that us farmers educate and advocate for the one and most important industry we all have, and that’s food.” ~ Agricultural Advocate, Farmer Ben Simons.

The event was held in recognition of June as Dairy Month, an annual celebration of the vital role the dairy and agricultural industries play in communities across New York State and the nation. The Mohawk Valley region is home to a rich agricultural heritage, and Assemblywoman Buttenschon, a farmer herself, and a consistent advocate for farmers, farm families, and agricultural education throughout her life, was proud to help share it alongside her incredible partners today.