Tom Graham 5th Grade Conservation Farm Tour
Since 1965, Holmes County 5th graders have participated in the Tom Graham 5th Grade Conservation Farm Tour. It has become a rite of passage for Holmes County 5th graders. Students visit a farm and learn about conservation techniques and the importance of protecting natural resources. In order to keep group sizes small, one tour is held for East Holmes students on September 19, 2023 (click here for East Holmes tour handout) and another for West Holmes students on September 26, 2023 (click here for West Holmes tour handout). Private and parochial school students are welcome as well, call Holmes SWCD for information. After the tour, students write an essay about their experience and submit the best from each school for our annual essay contest. East Holmes & West Holmes FFA chapters each sponsor a poster contest. Find the East Holmes (Hiland) rules here, and the West Holmes rules here. Winners are honored at our annual meeting.
Additional background information resources:
Soils Information:
2015: International Year of Soils
Downloadable fact sheets & information about the importance of soils
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Link for teachers to soil resources
National Association of Conservation Districts
Links to educational resources on soil, water, and forestry
Farm Safety Information:
Farm Safety Just for Kids
Numerous classroom links & teacher resources
Wildlife Information:
Forestry Information
AGRICULTURE Information:
Most recent (2017) Census of Agriculture statistics for Holmes County, Ohio