JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP – The Buckeye State has about 74,000 farms.
It’s one of the facts that children in the Ashtabula County Manufacturing Institute (ACMI) Camp learned the week of July 27-31.
Food and agriculture production was the focus for the fifth and sixth graders enrolled in the camp, the third and final one that took place over three weeks in July. Previously, a “Mad Scientist Week” was held for girls, followed by a Robotics Week.
On Friday, July 31, a luncheon wrapped up the week for the students at A-Tech.
They received certificates for their participation and enjoyed a lunch.
Scott Wludyga, the A-Tech superintendent, spoke before the awards and lunch as he shared some facts about agriculture in Ohio, including right here in Ashtabula County.
“We know agriculture is big in Ashtabula,” he said.
He noted that the county ranks number two in the state for fruits, tree, nuts and berries; number seven for Christmas trees/woody crops; number 19 for horses, ponies, mules, burros and donkeys; number 21 for other crops/hay; and number 24 for milk from cows.
The children looked back on their week and all the places they visited. These included: Riceland Meadows; the Ashtabula Agricultural Research Station; the Nate Soltis Farm; and the Beaumont Scout Reservation.
One of the counselors, Kayla Mook, said the kids enjoyed visiting the locations.
At the Nate Soltis Farm, she said, the children were able to watch the milking process and see some baby cows.
One of the campers, Natalie Orlando, 10, said she liked Riceland Meadows.
“It was very fun,” she said.
Visiting all the places made a difference for her.
“Now I look at animals in a different way,” she said. She thought agriculture in Ohio was very interesting.
Her grandpa, Pete Tulino of Ashtabula, said ACMI was good for his granddaughter.
“It was a great experience,” he said.
Seventh and eighth graders, meanwhile, learned about future tech during the week.
“The seventh grade built a turret which shoots darts,” a counselor, Nancy Moseley, said. She added that the eighth graders built a laser. She noted the children were also able to code.
At Camp Beaumont, she said, they were able to learn about welding, electricity and plumbing. “And then they did some team-building activities,” she said.
She thought the children in Future Tech did really well and were able to enjoy camaraderie and friendship, noting it was a very positive experience.
