TULSA, Okla. — Mark Twain Elementary students received an early Christmas present this year – reindeer.
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) staff and the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture visited the Tulsa school today to teach students about agriculture, provide them a healthy snack, and surprise them – with real reindeer.
These reindeer, an unlikely sight in Oklahoma, were the highlight of the day. Students took pictures with Dasher and learned what makes him different than your average deer.
The morning also included milking Betsie the cow – a large wooden cow-shaped cutout with a bucket udder. At that stop, children enjoyed a Go-GURT snack.
At another activity, children got to see a live cow being milked at the Southwest Dairy Farmers Mobile Dairy.
Throughout the morning children had the opportunity to learn about agriculture through Ag in the Classroom lessons. This included the Ag Wheel of Knowledge where students are quizzed about the industry.
Plus, students got to enjoy eating popcorn and learn about grains from the Tulsa County Extension educators.
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese, the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture and ODAFF staff members led sessions during the event and Santa and Smokey Bear were on hand for the visit.
While the students received an early Christmas present in the form of reindeer, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry received one as well – seeing the children’s faces light up while learning something new about agriculture.
—Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
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