Nature Deficit Disorder

Kids don’t know nature any more, reports the AWSP in the Spring 2008 edition of The Principal News. That sounds about right—nature’s dangerous, after all, and kids must be shielded from any and all discomfort. That’s the new American way.

I’d like to add another disorder to the lexicon—Farm Deficit Disorder. For today’s kids food comes from the grocery store, and that’s where they think the chain begins. My wife’s family operates a dairy farm, and every year they have school groups out from local elementary schools. Fun excerpts from the kids:

“What are the cows for?” (answer: good looks)
“The milk comes out of THERE?!?!” (answer: Yes. Yes, it does.)
“How long do the baby cows get to stay with their moms?” (answer: Not very. The milk goes into the bulk tank, not into the calf’s belly. That's capitalism. Please don't tell PETA.)
“WHAT’S THAT SMELL?!?!” (answer: That’s me, sorry. Accidentally pulled my own finger.)
“Is that cow poop?” (answer: Nope. That’s processed hay byproduct.)

I teach a weeklong unit to my kids every year on milk and dairying. Next year I’m going to contact some of the local wheat farmers and see if they could give me something to talk about. It’s information worth giving to the kids.