BRADY TWP. Students listened intently, with puzzled expressions, as Mid-Michigan Old Gas Tractor Association (MMOGTA) President Bill Koski explained the strange wooden object he held in his hand. "This is a flail. It was used to beat the grain off the heads of the wheat back in the colonial days" he explained as he demonstrated the motion used in the technique. "Farmers would lay harvested wheat on the floor of the barn, beat it with the flail, and then sweep up the grain," he continued. The students were perplexed at the idea, not completely understanding the hand farming ways of the early days compared to what they know of todays way of farming of putting something into a machine and having it come out the other end a finished product. But as a white cloud puffed out of an antique stone flour mill grinder the lesson of the 1700's technique began to make sense to the students as they recognized the end product. Several students reached out and caught the powdery flour in their hands. Each student got a bag of the whole-wheat flour, along with a recipe for old-fashioned honey whole wheat bread, to take home. The students were getting a taste of old fashioned farming, and all that the farming way of life encompassed, at the MMOGTA's Rural Farm Day, an educational event hosted by the association to educate area students on part of their history and heritage. "We wanted to give the kids some insight into the old ways of farming and also where their food comes from," noted Koski. Following the demonstration of the 1700's way of harvesting wheat, the students moved on to view wheat harvesting the 1800's way. Association members demonstrated a belt-driven wheat thresher where bundles of wheat were placed on the machines conveyer and the chaff and grain was separated within the machine. Students watched as grain shot out the other end of the machine into a wagon. Another stop on the tour gave students the opportunity to milk a cow by hand. Mitch Fabus of Green Meadow Farms in Elsie helped the students learn the proper technique of the old fashioned method. "I've never milked a cow before," said Paul Kelly from Bethany Lutheran School of Saginaw. "It's not scary like I thought it would be. It's a little weird, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy," he stated. At another stop the students watched as logs were cut into planks at the belt-powered sawmill, which was being powered by a 1938 John Deere G gas engine tractor. Students also enjoyed a visit to the Tin Shop where they had the opportunity to make some old fashioned tin crafts, including twisting strips into Christmas tree tinsel. Other demonstrations throughout the day included furniture making, the veneer mill, the shingle mill, and the handle mill factory. At the Pioneer Log Cabin students participated in old-fashioned soap making, rope making, and candle dipping. More than 50 students from area private schools, along with many home-schooled youth attended the event held at the club's showground's in Brady Township. Schools attending included St. Johns Lutheran School of Hemlock, St. Johns Lutheran School of Saginaw, Bethany Lutheran School of Saginaw, and Christ Lutheran School of Oakley. The students were treated to a free picnic lunch in the pavilion. The day's events and the luncheon were possible thanks to donations from many area businesses. The club plans to make the educational day an annual event and is already planning an expanded event for next year that will take place the third weekend in September. Friday will be the Rural Farm Day educational event, with Saturday and Sunday being member days with displays and tractor pulling. The club is seeking sponsors for next year.
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