Activity
1. Punch a hole in the top of small jeweler sized
plastic bags. Cut string/yarn in appropriate lengths
for necklaces.
Ag
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2. Give each student a jeweler bag, string/ yarn piece,
cotton ball and one soybean seed and one corn seed.
3. Instruct students to dip their cotton ball in the bowl
of water. Give the cotton ball three “flat” squeezes to
remove excess water.
4. Place the cotton ball in a jeweler-sized bag. Place one
seed on each side of the damp cotton ball.
Explorations in Agriculture
Plant Pal:
A Living
Necklace
To enrich student’s understanding
of how crops and plants grow.
Students observe the germination
process and the effects these
crops have in our lives, every day.
Materials
• Soybeans seeds and corn
kernels (these can be obtained
from local farmers or purchased
at a garden center)
• Jeweler size plastic bags (these
can be purchased from craft
stores, online, or might be free
from a jewelry store)
• Cotton balls
• Bowl of water for every
4 students.
• Hole punch
• Yarn or string
5. DO NOT close or seal the plastic bag – the seed needs air to sprout!
6. Thread the piece of string through the hole in the top of the bag and tie to make a
necklace. Students can wear their Plant Pal necklace.
7. Discuss the ideal place to plant the seeds once they sprout. Also discuss what
resources (natural, capital, human) are necessary to get the seed to produce food
for people and animals.
Classroom Connections
Science – Using art supplies, students can construct a diagram of the plant growth
process beginning with germination (sprouting). Label the natural resources, capital
resources, and human resources needed for crop production.
Social Studies – Give each student a blank Minnesota Counties Map (Resource A).
Where do corn and soybeans grow in Minnesota and why? Use colors to illustrate
the best corn and soybean growing regions in Minnesota. Explain why Minnesota’s
geography plays an integral role in United States’ corn and soybean production
English Language Arts – Write in a notebook for 3-5 days, journaling the
germination progress of their Plant Pals necklace. Students should share the status
of their Plant Pals necklace using pictures or their journal entrees.
Academic Standards
Minnesota Social Studies Standards and Benchmarks
2.2.3.5.1 Classify materials that come from nature as natural resources; tools,
equipment and factories as capital resources; and workers as human resources.
2.3.1.1.3 Use maps, photos or other geographic tools to identify and locate major
landmarks or physical features of the United States
Minnesota Science Standards and Benchmarks
2.4.2.1.1 Recognize that plants need space, water, nutrients and air, and that they
fulfill these needs in different ways.
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2.4.3.1.1 Describe the characteristics of plants at different stages in their life cycles.
r i c u lt u r e i n t h e
National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes
Identify plants and animals grown or raised locally that are used for food, clothing,
shelter and landscapes.
Additional Resources
In accordance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act, this information is available
in alternative forms of communication upon
request by calling 651-201-6000. TTY users
can call the Minnesota Relay Service at 711.
The MDA is an equal opportunity employer
and provider.
Food for Thought Maps – www.mda.state.mn.us/kids/food4thought.aspx
• Minnesota Counties Map (Resource A)
• Soybeans in Minnesota Counties Map (Resource B)
• Corn for Grain in Minnesota Counties Map (Resource C)
Concept and content for this Agventure is adapted from California Agriculture in the Classroom.
Resource A
Agventures: Plant Pal
Minnesota Counties
Resource B
Agventures: Plant Pal
Soybeans inin
Minnesota
Counties
(2012)(2012)
Soybeans
Minnesota
Counties
Map 6
²
Soybeans as percentage*
<1% - 5%
6% - 20%
21% - 40%
41% - 48%
No Data Reported
*Soybean acres harvested divided
by acres of harvested cropland
Resource C
Agventures: Plant Pal
Corn
forGrain
Graininin
Minnesota
Counties
Corn for
Minnesota
Counties
(2012)(2012)
Map 4
²
Corn as percentage*
<1% - 12%
13% - 32%
33% - 43%
>43%
No Data Reported
*Corn acres harvested for grain
divided by acres of harvested cropland