How a Livestock Barn Helped One Iowa School Flourish

Decatur Central Community School District students processing piglets in the farrowing trailer with Chad Wiig of Cactus Farms. Cactus Farms donated the sow for the school's use in the agriculture program.
Decatur Central Community School District students processing piglets in the farrowing trailer with Chad Wiig of Cactus Farms. Cactus Farms donated the sow for the school's use in the agriculture program.
(Decatur Central Community School District)

It’s one thing to tell students about livestock production; it’s another thing to show them. 

Two years ago, Central Decatur Community School District’s agriculture program in Leon, Iowa, received a USDA Farm to School Grant to purchase a farrowing trailer. The first two litters were raised off-campus by agriculture students. Although this was a great experience for those students, it only impacted a few students. 

Meanwhile, the agriculture students were also raising broilers for the Central Decatur Lunch Program. This project, made possible by a local mom, is a beloved tradition for students in ag teacher Rosa Sondag’s animal science class. 

In 2022, her students began discussing plans for something more. They wanted to start raising the pigs they were farrowing at the school and add some feeder steers, too. The problem? No barn to house them.

Students by trailer
Students at Central Decatur CSD reached out to their community and grant programs to help fund a livestock facility. Photo provided by Decatur Central.

A Surprise Phone Call

Sondag’s students set out to get permission from the city council and the Central Decatur School administration. After approval was granted, the reality of how much money would be needed to fund the project set in, Sondag says. 

“Out of the blue, we received a phone call from a member of the Decatur County Development Corporation offering to assist us with the project by providing the funds to purchase a barn,” she says. “This was closely followed by a visit from a representative of GRM Networks who provided a donation to our chapter to be used towards a ‘cooperative’ effort.”

Ideas swirled around as students started designing plans for the Central Decatur Livestock Facility to hold two steers, 15 pigs and one sow. After they finished their plans and created a budget, they realized they would need even more money to reach their goals. They applied for another county grant and received additional money to make their dreams a reality, Sondag explains. They also received a second donation from GRM Networks to purchase a building specifically for their broilers.  

“Building the livestock facility has allowed us to expand the experience to impact many students in the agriculture program,” Sondag says. 

Students with sow
Students gain unique learning experiences that can't be taught by book alone. Photo provided by Decatur Central.

Sows Open Door for New Career Paths 

Hadley Bell, a 17-year-old junior from Leon, Iowa, has been serving as the swine project manager. She believes this project will help her educational journey as she now has her sights set on pursuing an animal science-based career. 

“I was lucky enough to artificially inseminate the sow, and that was an experience that I had never done before. As far as opening doors for my future, I now have experience running a project from farrow-to-finish. Beforehand, I had only been involved in the weaning-to-finish process,” Bell says.

Students in the animal science class assist in caring for the sow and piglets once they are born. They complete daily chores and also chore on weekends and holidays. Throughout this time students track weights of the piglets, allowing them to determine when to process them. The piglets are processed at a local plant that offers USDA inspection. The meat is utilized in the school lunch program.

“To me, access to the livestock facility means a lot since it provides all students in an animal science class with an opportunity and experience that makes them able to learn more about how a farm can run. I did not grow up on a farm, but I always had an interest in agriculture,” says Annika Evertsen, 18, a senior from Leon, Iowa. “So being able to be a part of and learn about different parts of working with livestock was such a special experience.”

Steers at Central Decatur Community School District
The school worked with past FFA members to build the facility. A parent also donated a steer to the project, allowing the group to show increased profits from the beef feedlot. Photo provided by Decatur Central.

Steers Offer Real-World Learning Experience

In September 2022, the students set out to raise their first two market steers. They purchased two feeder steers, and students in the agriculture business class cared for the steers daily, weighing them and tracking average daily gain to determine the right time to harvest them. The steers were also processed at a USDA-inspected locker for the school lunch program.

Grant Boyd, a 17-year-old senior from Leon, Iowa, has the privilege of growing up with his own cattle herd at home, but appreciates the opportunity he’s had to serve as one of the beef feedlot managers at the school. The experience has helped him learn more about the beef industry as well as gaining experience working with the school lunch program. 

“Growing up in the cattle industry, I know the importance of educating others about what takes place in the cattle industry,” Boyd says. “Whether I'm presenting at our open house or communicating with classmates, I am learning the importance of advocating for the beef industry.”

The location of the facility at the school has allowed students opportunities to put their knowledge from the classroom into practice. 

“It taught me how to be responsible and take care of cattle and all the needs they have. It also has taught me how to problem-solve with all of the problems we had pop up during the first year of the facility,” says Skyler Yoder, a 17-year-old senior from Leon, Iowa.

Fresh meat for the school
The farm-to-fork program allows the students to contribute to providing nutritious food for the entire school. Photo provided by Decatur Central.

Farm Widens Educational Reach

The fresh pork, beef and chicken provided to the school lunch program is valuable as many of Central Decatur’s students don't raise their own food, Sondag points out. Not only do they find it interesting to see what their peers are doing, it’s also beneficial to educate all students on the importance of agriculture.  

The number of skills gained from this hands-on learning experience of caring for livestock will benefit students as they plan for their future, Sondag says.  

“The takeaway for so many of my students is the pride they have in producing an animal that benefits so many in our school, but also the knowledge they gain from the care of the animals,” she says. “We focus on many from nutrition to reproduction, but also sanitation and biosecurity. They have the opportunity to learn about facility maintenance and repairs, and the importance of keeping track of supplies and equipment. Students discover how to operate machinery, utilize an ultrasound machine, and detect sickness in animals.”

Farrowing trailer
This self-contained Featherlite trailer houses a sow and piglets utilizing a farrowing crate. The trailer has climate controls, ventilation, a watering system and manure containment. Photo provided by Decatur Central.

It's Not Just About Raising Livestock

Although Adriene Kelley doesn’t plan to pursue a career in agriculture, she says she has learned so much from the experience. 

“It shows you how some days can be hard and other days will be rewarding,” Kelley says. “All and all, you will learn a lot of great things about not just the animals but also hard work.”

One of the most valuable lessons Evertsen says she learned was how to become a leader and step out of her comfort zone. 

“I love the hands-on activities this project was able to provide me. I hope other students that don’t have an agriculture background, but want to learn more, will step out of their comfort zone and use the access they have to further their education and experience,” Evertsen says.

Decatur Central Community School District livestock facility
The impact of the new livestock facility has extended far beyond the agriculture program. Photo provided by Decatur Central.

 

A Model Approach to Education

Dream big, Bell encourages. She hopes more schools and communities will see the value of this project and look for ways to implement similar programs in their area. 

“Don’t be afraid to take on big projects that seem unrealistic,” Bell adds. “We are lucky enough to have an amazing agriculture teacher who helps take our ideas and make them happen, along with a supportive school district and community.”

Becoming a more self-sufficient school is a model all schools can learn from, Boyd adds. Not only has it had a positive effect on the school financially, but it also provides high-quality food for students and staff. 

“It really doesn't matter how big or small the project is, there is so much for students to learn when it comes to caring for animals,” Sondag says. “We also have a greenhouse, raised vegetable beds, fruit orchard and an aquaponics system that allow us to raise vegetative crops for our school lunch program as well. In the end, if we can incite a passion for agriculture in one area, we have succeeded in securing our future.”

Joy Evertson
Joy Evertsen, Food and Nutrition Manager of Central Decatur CSD, was instrumental in obtaining the grant and making the farm to fork initiative a success. Photo provided by Decatur Central.

Read More:

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How Tosh Farms Is Equipping an Unlikely Source of Employees In the Sow Barn

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