Lincoln Elementary School - Olympia, Washington

#7 The Farmer's Perspective
by Summer Anderson
    These are a few questions I used with the group of students I worked with. The questions are meant to spark conversations and more questions. Farmers are one of the groups of people that have a w\very large and direct affect on the lives of salmon. By posing directed questions we guide the kids into the shoes of a farmer. We can also explore the effects of farming practices on salmon.
Thoughts for Consideration

1. What do you think a farmer does on a typical day? What time does a farmer get up in the morning? What time does a farmer go to bed?

2.  How much time do you think a farmer spends outside each day? Compared  to how much time you spend outdoors?

3. Do farmers work hard? Do you think farmers love what they do?

4. What do farmer's hands look like?

5. How might farming affect streams and rivers (water for crops i.e. irrigation from hydor-electric dams, pesticides in the watersheds, degradation of streamsides, cows)?

6. How might farming affect salmon?

7. What are some possible reasons why a farmer would use pesticides even though he or she knows that it isn't the healthiest option?

8. Why can't a farmer just stop using harmful practices? Do you think they want to stop?
 

Graphic two kids on the stage
Elijah Jones and Anya Johnson sharing the farmer's perspective.