District 15 farm a truly innovative idea

Kudos to you and Dist. 15 Superintendent Scott Thompson!

We agree that the farm is an innovative notion that can enrich the worldview of District 15’s students and teach them how food reaches their table.

Last week our son and his wife, who live in Danvers, IL took a well-deserved vacation to Florida while we stayed with our two grandsons (ages 12 & 6 years old).

We were all mesmerized when the combine came along in the farmer’s field behind the back fence of their yard. The farmers all around were harvesting their corn crops from early morning until late at night with the aid of lights on their combines.

To us suburbanites, this was a fascinating experience and enabled a great opportunity to discuss with our grandsons how important the farmers are to our economy, overall health and well-being.

When we read your article this morning, Mac and I discussed what an advantage it would be to use this land as an education farm to give the District 15 students a more accurate picture of how the food they eat is produced, harvested and reaches their tables. There are currently way too many hours spent on I-phones, I-pads, and electronic games. This new farm program could present a much needed healthy diversion from the cyber-world for our young students.

Perhaps some of the corporations, such as Kraft, Sara Lee, General Mills, etc. could jump on this bandwagon and join in to support the educational welfare of our elementary students.

Dr. Thompson could also invite local Illinois farmers to visit the farm and instruct the children on the processes and hours spent planting, nurturing and harvesting the crops to go to market. They could emphasize to the students the long hours they work from spring through fall and the general maintenance duties they perform during the winter months.

As taxpayers, we are truly excited about this new innovative potential program for our District 15 students.

Pat and Mac McCoy

Palatine