By Shannon Lukens.
A lot of happy 3rd graders from Steamboat Springs learned about ranching and agriculture Thursday for Ranch Days. It was coordinated by the Routt County Cattlewomen. The Stanko Ranch, Monger Ranch, and Belton Ranch hosted kids from Steamboat Springs schools.
“I like about Ranch Days that we get to see dogs and we get to pet lambs. And I love cows.”
That’s Ailie, who is a third grader from Soda Creek. Her grade visited the Stanko Ranch.
Jim Stanko’s family has lived at the ranch on 20-Mile Road just outside of Steamboat Springs since 1907. He went to the schoolhouse just down the road, when there were only nine students there. He loves talking to the kids.
“The Ranch Days are important because kids now are not coming from the rural agricultural community. They’re coming from the urban areas and they’re being brought up that food comes from Safeway. And they need to know that food comes from agriculture and that agriculture is still a very important part of the community.”
Stanko also showed the kids a John Deere tractor that his grandfather bought in 1935 when he realized he couldn’t use horses anymore. Then Stanko showed the kids a newer John Deere tractor, from 2018. The kids could see the difference in the technology and they got to climb on the equipment.
He pointed to the different mountains that could be seen from his ranch and made sure the kids knew the names of the mountains, and why they were named that.
The kids also learned about cows and sheep and guard dogs as well. They learned the modern way of checking your cattle up in the pasture, which is by flying a drone.
Third graders at Strawberry Park Elementary visited the Monger Ranch on County Road 44 near Elk Mountain which is also known as Sleeping Giant. They were shown boots, and chaps, and cowboy hats and why they are worn by ranchers.
They went through a chute for calves and learned about branding. While they were there, a calf was born. The kids also went on a wagon ride throughout the pasture.
The Mongers are sixth generation homesteaders in Routt County.