Local farmer inspiring next generation of farmers through social media

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A local farmer is taking to social media to educate students across Nebraska about agriculture.

Farmer Paula Peterson is utilizing her Facebook page for a “Watch Me Grow” series featuring the life journey of a baby calf named Lil’ Beauty.

The series, which started on Jan. 14, quickly caught the attention of local schools from Lincoln to Omaha.

Peterson told Channel 8 the students have sent her letters, thanking her for including them in Lil’ Beauty’s journey.

“There’s about 20 to 25 classrooms that follow us on the Facebook page,” Peterson said. “But my classroom in Omaha, the Palisades Elementary, have been sending letters and commenting on the videos. It’s just something fun and different I wanted to try to have that extra connection with what we’re doing.”

Although Nebraska is known for its agricultural lifestyle, Peterson said the amount of those that live on a farm is dwindling.

According to Peterson, this is her trying to inspire the next generation and keep Nebraskans informed.

“Most of the kids in Nebraska are three to four generations removed from actually living on a farm, or they’ve got grandparents living on a farm,” she said. “So even though we’re a rural state, we don’t have that rural connection. I really strongly want to be a resource for teachers, consumers and people that have questions about agriculture. That was one of the reasons we started the Facebook page in the first place.”

Overall, the feedback has been supportive.

“They can’t believe how fast she’s growing,” she said. “The bonus is she is a heifer, I may go for a year and then when she has her first calf I will make sure we show that. But they’re wanting to see more, and they’re wanting to ask questions about her and what we’re doing with her.”