Talk about a change of scenery.

Country-inexperienced ISU students stayed with host families this weekend to learn more about farm life.

The College of Agriculture sent 15 students to farms across Iowa as part of the Agricultural Weekend Experience program. Students who went had little or no farming experience. The program broke them into two groups and sent them to two different areas – northern and western Iowa.

During their time in the rural settings, the students toured ethanol plants, dairy farms and other farm-related operations.

In addition to touring facilities, students spent a few days with a host family and learned about day-to-day farm procedures.

Emily Eggleston, junior in agronomy, said the weekend was set up to give participants a chance to see how a farm works.

“We saw every aspect of farming we could want to see,” she said.

Eggleston stayed with a host family in Denison.

Other students involved said they were not disappointed.

Bobbi Jo Reed, junior in animal science, traveled with her classmates to western Iowa and stayed in Vail for the weekend. Reed said the trip was a valuable experience for her because she learned the ins and outs of an Iowa farm.

“I want to become a vet so this helped me realize how an Iowa veterinarian’s day-to-day life is.” she said.

Some involved were surprised at the complex nature of farming. Eggleston said she never realized how many steps went into an activity such as raising pigs.

“So many processes involved in farming and the people [involved] are so knowledgeable,” she said.

The students visited a dairy farm and an ethanol plant, Amazing Energy in Denison, at the end of the weekend. Eggleston and Reed said the dairy farm was their favorite part of the trip because of its hands-on nature.

“We got to pet baby calves,” Eggleston said. “They were so cute.”