Does anyone use agriculture as a workshop? What do you think of the idea? We don't use WORM at our church yet, but since we're a rural church, I thought if we started WORM, agriculture as a workshop would bring in both the teachers (lots of retired farmers and gardeners) and the kids (kids care about the environment and they love to see farm animals--field trip!)

We don't use ag as a workshop, but I'd love to hear any ideas you find. (I'm an ag communications major, definately in my interests!) I have seen lessons that include planting (like planting seeds for Noah or something). For our Noah lessons the kids went out into the neighboring hay pasture to measure out how big the ark was... LOL, I'd love to work those cows in teh front pasture into a lesson

Terri
Gum Creek Presbyterian
Oxford, GA
www.geocities.com/gumcreekpc

What a great idea!! And what a wonderful way to teach stewardship of God's earth!
I hope it is successful.

I've listed below many web links on the subject.

My sister's country church did a spring-summer Sunday School studying the stories that contained plant references. I am the vine you are the branches, good seed on good soil, etc. It was a big hit especially with the adults.

Years ago we daringly did an indoor growing project in windowless basement with LARGE wooden planters and grow lights. Some of the plants just didn't come up, some did fine. Best to research grow light techniques!

Here are some promising web links about Bible plants:

"Plants of the Bible and How to Grow Them" by Allan A. Swenson
[Exchange Volunteer notes: there was a link having to do with this book but I am removing it because it no longer works.]

Biblical Botany webpage... the end of this article has a long Bibliography. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/3664/bible-plants.html

...And this was only the FIRST search I did.
Hope it helps. <>< Neil

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Exchange Volunteer removed non-functioning links.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CreativeCarol,

I'm an ag communications major also! The Bible is full of agricultural examples, many of which were mentioned in these responses. You might consider a trip to a sheep farm and do shepherd stories (tons of those, too!) The Parables (separating the wheat from chaff; goats from sheep, etc).

I have an interesting book called "Consider the Lilliess" - Plants of the Bible, by John & Kathering Paterson. They "explore the symbolic significance of the flowers, fruits and plants mentioned in various stories and passages in the Bible." (according to the book jacket). It is interesting, and I have used it some.

All the best!
Julie

This sounds so cool.
Does anyone know of any sheep farms in the North Georgia area that allows children to come visit??

Valerie- If you know of any local sheep farms in your community I'd just stop by, most farms love visitors! What part of N Ga are you in? Near Whitfield Co. by chance?

If you don't know of any, call your extension agent (look in govt pages of phone book for extension service or 4-H & Youth). He/She will know of any local farms, or may even know 4-H'ers that would bring the animals to you. The kids love to show thier animals, and they get credit in their portfolios for "teaching" other kids. If you can't find the #, email me at tmyonah@yahoo.com and I'll look it up for you, I work at the state office.

Terri
Gum Creek Pres.
www.geocities.com/gumcreekpc

The North Carolina Council of Churches has a new curriculum available for free download on their website about farmworkers. While it is geared toward adults and high school, some of the background information, quotes, statistics, and the chapter on children might be helpful.

Also, www.helwys.com/otf offers "On the Farm: Growing with God" as a VBS program. While the scriptures are not agriculturally related, the theme and various ideas (games, crafts, snacks, etc.) lend themselves to a wonderful unit on farming and growing.

Some other scripture ideas: Ruth, Joseph and his brothers (famine), 2 Cor. 9:6-15, Parable of the Mustard Seed, Psalms 8 and 104, Parable of the Sower, and Fruit of the Spirit.

We actually go to a farm each year, the Sunday before Christmas, where the children help take care of a donkey, fill a manger and help clean out a stall in a member's barn. Then, while the kids are having hot chocolate and cookies,
a family moves in and lays a "baby" in the manger. The children come back in and the family tells how happy they are to have a clean place to stay and that their baby is healthy. The family tells about why their baby is special.
It makes for a "real" Christmas.