The eighth-grade, year-long agriculture classes from Hutto and West Bainbridge middle schools toured some of the local agriculture businesses in Decatur County in December.

The purpose of this trip was to show the students the interworking components of agriculture in Decatur County.

The tour started at Decatur Gin Company. Mike Greene led the students through the steps of ginning cotton. The students were able to see cotton go through the complete ginning process.

Following the gin, the students toured Providence Dairy. Paul Johnson talked to students about the dairy industry, and the students had the opportunity to view how the milking process is performed.

The students then toured the Cloud Livestock Facility. Students learned about the market hogs and steers that are housed in the facility.

Jesse Kelly, Hutto agriculture teacher, talked to the students about the cuts of meats that come from each animal. While at the Cloud Livestock Facility, the students enjoyed a pizza lunch sponsored by Decatur County Farm Bureau.

After lunch, the students had the opportunity to visit the Decatur County Humane Society.

Beth Eck spoke to the students about the history of the Humane Society, and the students spent time with some of the animals. This gave the students an opportunity to see just how their Christmas fund-raiser would assist the Humane Society. Both chapters held a Christmas Dance to raise money to donate to the shelter.

The final stop on the tour was True Life Creations. Gary Braswell talked with the students about the taxidermy process and wildlife meat processing.

The tour was fun and educational for the students. The Hutto and West Bainbridge FFA Chapters would like to thank all the business and supporters of the tour.